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The dark side of leadership: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of destructive leadership research

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  • Mackey, Jeremy D.
  • Parker Ellen, B.
  • McAllister, Charn P.
  • Alexander, Katherine C.

Abstract

The destructive leadership literature has grown remarkably in recent years. Although the field has generated an impressive body of knowledge, we still have an incomplete understanding of destructive leadership. We conduct a systematic literature review of destructive leadership research so we can create a solid foundation for knowledge production and theory development within this literature. Further, we draw from 418 empirical samples of data (k = 418, N = 123,511) to conduct random-effects meta-analyses that estimate the magnitude and direction of relationships within destructive leadership’s nomological network. Ultimately, our study leverages and integrates the many insights from the destructive leadership literature to advance knowledge, facilitate nuanced theory development, generate useful directions for future research, and create evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Mackey, Jeremy D. & Parker Ellen, B. & McAllister, Charn P. & Alexander, Katherine C., 2021. "The dark side of leadership: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of destructive leadership research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 705-718.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:132:y:2021:i:c:p:705-718
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.10.037
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    Cited by:

    1. Nilupulee Liyanagamage & Mario Fernando & Belinda Gibbons, 2023. "The Emotional Machiavellian: Interactions Between Leaders and Employees," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 186(3), pages 657-673, September.
    2. Alexander, Katherine C. & Mackey, Jeremy D. & Maher, Liam P. & McAllister, Charn P. & Ellen, B. Parker, 2024. "An implicit leadership theory examination of cultural values as moderators of the relationship between destructive leadership and followers’ task performance," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(3).
    3. Peikai Li & Kui Yin & Jian Shi & Tom G. E. Damen & Toon W. Taris, 2024. "Are Bad Leaders Indeed Bad for Employees? A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies Between Destructive Leadership and Employee Outcomes," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 191(2), pages 399-413, May.
    4. Anastasia Danilov & Ju Yeong Hong & Anja Schöttner, 2024. "Strategic Use of Unfriendly Leadership and Labor Market Competition: An Experimental Analysis," Rationality and Competition Discussion Paper Series 507, CRC TRR 190 Rationality and Competition.
    5. Mackey, Jeremy D., 2022. "The effect of cultural values on the strength of the relationship between interpersonal and organizational workplace deviance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 760-771.
    6. Man Lung Jonathan Kwok & Raymond Kwong & Macy Wong & Jinyun Duan, 2023. "Great leaders do everything: a moderated mediation model of transformational leadership, trust in leader, helping behaviour, and idiosyncratic deals," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(2), pages 549-569, April.
    7. Karakitapoğlu-Aygün, Zahide & Gumusluoglu, Lale & Erturk, Alper & Scandura, Terri A., 2023. "What if authoritarian to all or to some? A multi-level investigation of within-team differentiation in authoritarian leadership," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    8. Can He & Jie Xiong & Yue Zhang & Haiyuan Dou & Jiahui Du, 2023. "Destructive Leadership and Turnover Intention among Chinese Rural Kindergarten Teachers: The Mediation of Ego Depletion and the Moderation of Kindergarten Affiliation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    9. repec:zib:zbmbmj:v:1:y:2022:i:2:p:53-58 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Lin, Chiou-Shiu & Jin, Ming & Huang, Pei-Chi & Xiao, Ran, 2023. "Does it take two to tango? The joint role of high-performance work systems and ethical leadership," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    11. Sharfa Hassan & Puneet Kaur & Michael Muchiri & Chidiebere Ogbonnaya & Amandeep Dhir, 2023. "Unethical Leadership: Review, Synthesis and Directions for Future Research," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(2), pages 511-550, March.
    12. Bunmi Isaiah Omodan, 2023. "Addressing the Dark Side of Leadership in the University System Using Community of Practice (CoP) Approach," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-15, November.

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