The effect of machiavellian leadership on employees’ emotional exhaustion, organizational cynicism as a mediator: Evidence from Ho Chi Minh City

Abstract

Machiavellian leadership, organizational cynicism and emotional exhaustion are increasingly attracting interest due to their negative effects on organizational key outcomes. The aim of this study is to examine the relationships of these constructs in Vietnam context and strengthen the previous results. Specifically, this study used a sample of 336 employees working in Ho Chi Minh City. The result which is consistent with previous findings shows that Machiavellian leadership affects emotional exhaustion both directly and indirectly through organizational cynicism. Thus, this study suggests that there is good evidence to support relationships among the three factors above. This research also provides some managerial related implications to improve leadership’s effectiveness and reduce organizational cynicism and emotional exhaustion.