Examining the mediatory role of affective commitment and the moderatory role of demographic variables in the effects of toxic leadership and servant leadership on job satisfaction and job performance: A study for academicians

This study aims to examine the effects of toxic and servant leadership behaviors on academics' job satisfaction and job performance, and also to analyze the mediating roles of affective commitment and the moderating roles of various demographic variables in these relationships. Based on the theoretical framework' of the study, firstly, the concepts of toxic leadership, servant leadership, affective commitment, job satisfaction and job performance were explained, a comprehensive conceptual framework was created and research hypotheses were developed based on this basis. A quantitative method was adopted in the application part of the study and data were collected through a survey from 780 academics working in higher education institutions across Turkey using the simple random sampling method. Likert-type scales were preferred in the data collection tool; structural equation model (SEM) was used as the basis in the analysis process. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software. The findings obtained from the analyses revealed that toxic and servant leadership created significant effects on both job satisfaction and job performance. In addition, it was determined that affective commitment played a partial mediating role in these effects. In addition, it was found that some demographic variables - gender of the unit manager, length of time working with the manager, length of time working in the profession, age, title, geographical region and administrative position - have a moderating role in the effects of toxic and servant leadership on affective commitment, job satisfaction and job performance. Finally, practical implications are discussed for practitioners and researchers are presented in the study.