The investigation of role overload on organizational deviance: The mediating roles of moral disengagement and felt trust

Role overload is prevalent in modern workplaces and can lead to negative consequences; however, its connection to organizational deviance is understudied. This study investigated the relationship between role overload and organizational deviance, and examining the mediating roles of moral disengagement and felt trust. Using the job demands-resources model, moral disengagement theory, and social exchange theory as frameworks, three hypotheses were developed and tested. Data were collected in two phases from 324 full-time employees in Taiwan using validated scales. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for the analysis. The results indicate that role overload has a direct positive relationship with organizational deviance. Additionally, moral disengagement and felt trust both mediated this relationship. Specifically, role overload increases moral disengagement, which in turn increases organizational deviance. Role overload also decreases felt trust, leading to increased organizational deviance. These findings suggest multiple pathways through which role overload can result in deviant workplace behaviors. This study contributes to the literature by identifying the moral and emotional mechanisms linking role overload to organizational deviance. Key Words:Role overload, Organizational Deviance, Moral Disengagement, Felt Trust, Trust