Cynicism in the workplace: some causes and effects

A scenario-based experiment was employed to test seven hypotheses concerning several causes and consequences of cynicism in the workplace. The results of a 2×2×2 MANOVA revealed that high levels of executive compensation, poor organizational performance, and harsh, immediate layoffs generate cynicism in white-collar workers. Furthermore, regression analyses showed that cynicism relates negatively to intentions to perform organizational citizenship behaviors and intentions to comply with requests to engage in unethical behaviors. The study provides a first experimental investigation of an important employee attitude and indicates directions for further research. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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