2026 · Journal article
Abusive leadership and knowledge worker productivity
Detrimental impact of abusive leadership on knowledge workers’ productivity: Evidence from higher education sector
Citation · APA 7
Ahmed, Q., Sumbal, M. S., Shujahat, M., Raziq, M. M., & Rozsa, Z. (2026). Detrimental impact of abusive leadership on knowledge workers’ productivity: Evidence from higher education sector. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 21(4), 1247–1269. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-01-2023-0046
In brief. A study of 263 university faculty members in Pakistan (CB-SEM) examined how abusive leadership affects the productivity of knowledge workers. Abusive leadership reduced knowledge utilisation directly and indirectly – through weaker knowledge sharing and creation – and thereby productivity.
Implications.
- Leadership style directly affects whether knowledge is created and used in an organisation.
- Preventing abusive leadership is part of knowledge management.