Don't exploit me any longer! How exploitative leadership influence work active behavior: The moderating effect of problem-solving rumination and psychological availability

Authors: Hung-Yu Tsai

Journal: Corporate Management Review. Dec. 2025, 45(2): 1-36

Keywords: Exploitative leadership, social loafing, contextual performance, psychological availability, problem-solving rumination

Abstract:
This study leverages the social exchange theory to elucidate the impact of exploitative leadership on subsequent positive and negative work behavior. Data were collected from 298 full-time employees with direct supervisory roles across various industries in Taiwan, over two time points with two-week intervals, to address common method bias concerns. The findings of this study reveal the following: (1) exploitative leadership positively influences social loafing; (2) exploitative leadership negatively influences contextual performance; (3) psychological availability and problem-solving rumination mitigate the positive relationship between exploitative leadership on social loafing and contextual performance. Based on the findings of this study, it not only extends the outcome variables and applicable contexts within the field of research, but also introduces a relevant theoretical perspective. Finally, this study not only examines the relationship between exploitative leadership, contextual performance, and social loafing but also extends the existing literature by investigating the moderating effects of psychological availability and problem-solving rumination. Furthermore, it validates the theoretical mechanisms underlying the social exchange perspective.