Article Details
Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): September
Nexus between despotic leadership style and employee’s well-being: A case of a Telecommunication Company in Ghana
Abstract
Purpose: This study examined the influence of despotic leadership style on the various dimensions of employee well-being (psychological, physical, interpersonal, environmental, and total well-being) in an XT Telecommunication Company in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.
Methodology/approach: Quantitative research approach was adopted for this study. The study employed the use of census sampling technique. The population for this study was the entire workforce of 150 employees of XT Telecommunication Company in Ghana. Data was collected through standardized structured questionnaire. Data received was analysed through structural equation modelling using Smart PLS 3.0 statistical program.
Results/findings: The findings revealed that despotic leadership style positively influenced employees’ psychological and physical well-being. Additionally, findings reveal a positive association between despotic leadership and interpersonal, environmental, and overall well-being.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the context-specific nature of leadership outcomes and challenge the universal assumption that despotic leadership is detrimental to employee welfare.
Limitations: This includes the specificity to Ghanaian society, which may reduce the generalizability of findings across different cultural settings. Future research should explore cross-cultural comparisons and longitudinal impacts to deepen understanding of despotic leadership’s diverse effects on employee well-being.
Contribution: The study contributes to leadership and organizational behavior literature by highlighting the nuanced role of cultural context in shaping leadership outcomes, thereby broadening theoretical and practical understandings of leadership effectiveness.
Keywords
How to Cite
Download Citation
References
- Abid, M. N., Akbar, A., & Iqbal, I. (2024). Effect of Despotic Leadership Style on Employee Job Satisfaction at University Level: A Mediating Role of Workplace Deviance Behaviour. CARC Research in Social Sciences, 3(2), 156-165. doi:https://doi.org/10.58329/criss.v3i2.145
- Adnan Bataineh, K. (2019). Impact Of Work-Life Balance, Happiness At Work, On Employee Performance. International Business Research, 12(2), 99-112. doi:https://doi.org/10.5539/ibr.v12n2p99
- Albashiti, B., Hamid, Z., & Aboramadan, M. (2021). Fire In The Belly: The Impact Of Despotic Leadership On Employees Work-Related Outcomes In The Hospitality Setting. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 33(10), 3564-3584. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/ijchm-03-2021-0394
- Ali, H. G. (2022). Impact of Despotic Leadership on Employees Outcome: The Mediating Roleof Emotion Regulation Failure. International Journal of Business and Management Sciences, 3(4), 164-182.
- Asad, M., Kashif, M., Sheikh, U. A., Asif, M. U., George, S., & Khan, G. U. H. (2022). Synergetic Effect Of Safety Culture And Safety Climate On Safety Performance In Smes: Does Transformation Leadership Have A Moderating Role?. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 28(3), 1858-1864. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2021.1942657
- Barasa, B. L., & Karinki, A. (2020). Transformational Leadership Style And Employee Job Satisfaction In County Government Of Kakamega, Kenya. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 9(5), 100-108. doi:https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v9i5.821
- Bhoir, M., & Sinha, V. (2024). Employee Well-being Human Resource Practices: A Systematic Literature Review and Directions for Future Research. Future Business Journal, 10(1), 1-18. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-024-00382-w
- Billings, J., Ching, B. C. F., Gkofa, V., Greene, T., & Bloomfield, M. (2020). Healthcare Workers’ Experiences of Working on the Frontline and Views About Support during COVID-19 and Comparable Pandemics: A Rapid Review and Meta-Synthesis. BMC Health Services Research, 1-19. doi:https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.21.20136705
- Bondad, E. N. M., & Quisido, P. Q. (2022). Innovative Administrative Practices and Schools Programs in the Promotion of Interpersonal Wellness among Elementary Teachers. International Journal of Research Publications, 106(1), 94-99. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.47119/IJRP1001061820223728
- Bressane, A., & Castro, M. V. d. (2024). Workplace Well-Being Through Nature-Based Solutions: A Fuzzy Framework for Decision-Making. Buildings, 15(1), 1-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15010117
- Brooks, S. K., & Greenberg, N. (2022). Mental Health and Psychological Wellbeing of Maritime Personnel: A Systematic Review. BMC Psychology, 10(1), 1-26. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00850-4
- Chaudhry, S., Tandon, A., Shinde, S., & Bhattacharya, A. (2024). Student Psychological Well-Being in Higher Education: The Role of Internal Team Environment, Institutional, Friends and Family Support and Academic Engagement. Plos One, 19(1), 1-23. doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0297508
- Cheremiskina, I. I., & Samoylichenko, A. K. (2023). Psychological Well-Being of Mothers During Counseling. Complex Social Systems in Dynamic Environments: Advanced Theories, Innovative Methods, and Interdisciplinary Research Results, 1255-1264. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-23856-7_114
- Coiro, M. J., Asraf, K., Tzischinsky, O., Hadar-Shoval, D., Tannous-Haddad, L., & Wolfson, A. R. (2021). Sleep Quality And Covid-19-Related Stress In Relation To Mental Health Symptoms Among Israeli And Us Adults. Sleep Health, 7(2), 127-133. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2021.02.006
- Daniel, A.-A. S., Kamil, N. M., Kpabi, I. A., & Adomako, A. A. (2022). Employee’s psychosocial well-being and perceived organisational politics; the moderating role of personality traits. ADRRI Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 19(3 (7) July-September), 97-114.
- De Clercq, D., Azeem, M. U., Haq, I. U., & Bouckenooghe, D. (2020). The Stress-Reducing Effect Of Coworker Support On Turnover Intentions: Moderation By Political Ineptness And Despotic Leadership. Journal of Business Research, 111, 12-24. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.01.064
- De Hoogh, A. H., & Den Hartog, D. N. (2008). Ethical And Despotic Leadership, Relationships With Leader's Social Responsibility, Top Management Team Effectiveness And Subordinates' Optimism: A Multi-Method Study. The leadership quarterly, 19(3), 297-311. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2008.03.002
- Dillman, D. A., Smyth, J. D., & Christian, L. M. (2014). Internet, Phone, Mail, And Mixed-Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method. Indianapolis, Indiana, 17. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394260645
- Einarsen, K., Nielsen, M. B., Hetland, J., Olsen, O. K., Zahlquist, L., Mikkelsen, E. G., . . . Einarsen, S. V. (2020). Outcomes of a Proximal Workplace Intervention Against Workplace Bullying and Harassment: A Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Among Norwegian Industrial Workers. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1-12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02013
- Ernst Kossek, E., Kalliath, T., & Kalliath, P. (2012). Achieving Employee Wellbeing In A Changing Work Environment: An Expert Commentary On Current Scholarship. International Journal of Manpower, 33(7), 738-753. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/01437721211268294
- Erskine, J., & Georgiou, G. (2023). Leadership Styles, Related Outcomes and Practical Suggestions. The Palgrave Handbook of Occupational Stress, 257-268. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27349-0_14
- Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39-50. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104
- Gritzka, S., MacIntyre, T. E., Dörfel, D., Baker-Blanc, J. L., & Calogiuri, G. (2020). The Effects of Workplace Nature-Based Interventions on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Employees: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 1-23. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00323
- Groves, R. M., Fowler Jr, F. J., Couper, M. P., Lepkowski, J. M., Singer, E., & Tourangeau, R. (2011). Survey Methodology. John Wiley & Sons.
- Hähn, N., Essah, E., & Blanusa, T. (2021). Biophilic Design And Office Planting: A Case Study Of Effects On Perceived Health, Well-Being and Performance Metrics In The Workplace. Intelligent Buildings International, 13(4), 241-260. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/17508975.2020.1732859
- Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2013). Multivariate Data Analysis: Pearson Education Limited.
- Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., & Thiele, K. O. (2017). Mirror, Mirror On The Wall: A Comparative Evaluation Of Composite-Based Structural Equation Modeling Methods. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 45(5), 616-632. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-017-0517-x
- Hako, A. N., & Mbongo, E. N. (2024). Psychological Well-Being Of Students In Higher Education Institutions: A Theoretical Review. Mental Health Crisis in Higher Education, 226-246. doi:https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-2833-0.ch013
- Hamid, Z. (2025). The Effects Of Servant Leadership And Despotic Leadership On Employees’ Happiness At Work (Haw): The Role Of Job Crafting. Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, 17(1), 23-45. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/apjba-07-2023-0344
- Hardan-Khalil, K., & Mayo, A. M. (2015). Psychometric Properties Of The Multidimensional Scale Of Perceived Social Support. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 29(5), 258-261. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/nur.0000000000000148
- Hu, L. t., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff Criteria For Fit Indexes In Covariance Structure Analysis: Conventional Criteria Versus New Alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(1), 1-55. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118
- Huang, Q., Zhang, K., Wang, Y., Bodla, A. A., & Zhu, D. (2022). When Is Authoritarian Leadership Less Detrimental? The Role Of Leader Capability. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(1), 707. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010707
- Huang, Y.-H., Lee, J., McFadden, A. C., Murphy, L. A., Robertson, M. M., Cheung, J. H., & Zohar, D. (2016). Beyond Safety Outcomes: An Investigation of the Impact of Safety Climate on Job Satisfaction, Employee Engagement and Turnover Using Social Exchange Theory as the Theoretical Framework. Applied Ergonomics, 55(3), 248-257. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2015.10.007
- Iqbal, J., Asghar, A., & Asghar, M. Z. (2022). Effect of Despotic Leadership on Employee Turnover Intention: Mediating Toxic Workplace Environment and Cognitive Distraction in Academic Institutions. Behavioral Sciences, 12(5), 1-23. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12050125
- Islam, T., Chaudhary, A., & Ali, H. F. (2024). Retracted: A Bitter Pill To Swallow: The Model Of Despotic Leadership, Bullying Behavior, Emotional Intelligence And Well-Being. European Journal of Training and Development, 48(1-2), 280-299. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/ejtd-01-2023-0015
- Kalyar, A. A. (2020). The relation between despotic leadership and psychological well-being in project based organization. Capital University.
- Kapri, V., Gulati, R., & Omar, A. (2023). Healthy Workplaces: Offices That Support Employee Health And Well-Being. International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology, 11(4), 4194-4206. doi:https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2023.51242
- Khan, A. T. A., & Saeed, B. B. (2024). Examining The Mediating Effect Of Workplace Ostracism On The Relationship Between Despotic Leadership And Emotional Exhaustion In Public Heis. Journal of Business and Management Research, 3(1), 416-432.
- Khan, M. M., Mubarik, M. S., Islam, T., Rehman, A., Ahmed, S. S., Khan, E., & Sohail, F. (2022). How Servant Leadership Triggers Innovative Work Behavior: Exploring the Sequential Mediating Role of Psychological Empowerment and Job Crafting. European Journal of Innovation Management, 25(4), 1037-1055. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-09-2020-0367
- Khan, S. M., & Abbas, J. (2022). Mindfulness and Happiness and Their Impact on Employee Creative Performance: Mediating Role of Creative Process Engagement. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 44. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101027
- Khizar, H. M. U., Tareen, A. K., Mohelska, H., Arif, F., Hanaysha, J. R., & Akhtar, U. (2023). Bad Bosses And Despotism At Workplace: A Systematic Review of the Despotic Leadership Literature. Heliyon, 9(9), e19535. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19535
- Kirillova, K., Fu, X., & Kucukusta, D. (2020). Workplace Design And Well-Being: Aesthetic Perceptions Of Hotel Employees. The Service Industries Journal, 40(1-2), 27-49. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2018.1543411
- Kiyani, A. S., Atasever, M., & Rizvi, T. H. (2021). Impact Of Exploitative Leadership On Workplace Incivility: Role Of Psychological Distress-Evidence From Banking Sector. NICE Research Journal, 14(1), 131-149. doi:https://doi.org/10.51239/nrjss.v14i1.262
- Kumari, N. (2023). A Review Of Literature On Employee Wellbeing In Hybrid And Remote Workplace. International Journal of Research in Human Resource Management, 5(1), 68-71. doi:https://doi.org/10.33545/26633213.2023.v5.i1a.132
- Lee, S., & Lawson, K. M. (2021). Beyond Single Sleep Measures: A Composite Measure Of Sleep Health And Its Associations With Psychological And Physical Well-Being In Adulthood. Social Science & Medicine, 274, 113800. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113800
- Lin, S., Li, L., Zheng, D., & Jiang, L. (2022). Physical Exercise And Undergraduate Students’ Subjective Well-Being: Mediating Roles Of Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction And Sleep Quality. Behavioral sciences, 12(9), 316. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12090316
- Lundqvist, D., Reineholm, C., Ståhl, C., & Wallo, A. (2022). The Impact Of Leadership On Employee Well-Being: On-Site Compared To Working From Home. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 2154. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14612-9
- Mehmood, S., Jabeen, R., Khan, M. A., Khan, M. A., Gavurova, B., & Oláh, J. (2023). Impact Of Despotic Leadership And Workplace Incivility On Innovative Work Behavior Of Employees: Application Of Mediation-Moderation Model. Heliyon, 9(9), e19673. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19673
- Mulyadi, M., Almagfira, A., Nasution, A. C. A., Fatimah, G. N., Wahdah, A. N., Ramadhon, D. C. P., . . . Annisa, A. (2024). Partisipasi Masyarakat dalam Penerapan Konsep Sustainable Development Terhadap Pembangunan Ibu Kota Negara Nusantara. Media Hukum Indonesia (MHI), 2(2), 462-472. doi:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11905462
- Murad, M., Jiatong, W., Shahzad, F., & Syed, N. (2021). The Influence Of Despotic Leadership On Counterproductive Work Behavior Among Police Personnel: Role Of Emotional Exhaustion And Organizational Cynicism. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 36(3), 603-615. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-021-09470-x
- Nauman, S., Zheng, C., & Basit, A. A. (2021). How Despotic Leadership Jeopardizes Employees' Performance: The Roles Of Quality Of Work Life And Work Withdrawal. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 42(1), 1-16. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/lodj-11-2019-0476
- Ogu, A. C., Kagwe, C., & Okpalaenwe, E. (2022). Influence of Interpersonal Relationship on Psychosocial Well-Being of Consecrated Catholic Women Religious in Ibadan, Nigeria. Journal of Sociology, Psychology & Religious Studies, 4(1), 1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t6003
- Organization, W. H. (2016). World Health Statistics 2016 [OP]: Monitoring Health for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS): World Health Organization.
- Pellerin, N., & Raufaste, E. (2020). Psychological Resources Protect Well-Being During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study During The French Lockdown. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 590276. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.590276
- Peng, S., & Huang, Y. (2024). Teachers’ Authoritarian Leadership And Students’ Well-Being: The Role Of Emotional Exhaustion And Narcissism. BMC Psychology, 12(1), 590. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02110-z
- Putri, D. N. S. S., Shakiera, L., Aziz, H. N., & Wardah, F. M. (2023). Psychological Well-Being: Penerimaan Diri Dan Penguasaan Lingkungan, Mengenali Mindfulness Dari Sikap Negatif Ke Surplus Sikap Positif Hidup. Journal of Indonesian Psychological Science (JIPS), 3(2), 416-425. doi:https://doi.org/10.18860/jips.v3i2.19427
- Raja, U., Haq, I. U., De Clercq, D., & Azeem, M. U. (2020). When Ethics Create Misfit: Combined Effects Of Despotic Leadership And Islamic Work Ethic On Job Performance, Job Satisfaction, And Psychological Well?Being. International Journal of Psychology, 55(3), 332-341. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12606
- Ramadhani, H. F., Daud, I., Marumpe, D. P., & Hasanudin, H. (2024). Exploring The Role Of Mental Health: The Relationship Between Despotic Leadership, Employee Well-Being, And Job Satisfaction. International Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting Research (IJEBAR), 8(4). doi:https://doi.org/10.29040/ijebar.v8i4.15535
- Raza, S., Usmani, S., & Kazmi, A. (2022). Impact Of Leadership Incivility On Employee Leaving Intention And Job Insecurity: Mediating Role Of Workplace Ostracism. Reviews of Management Sciences, 4(1), 139-154. doi:https://doi.org/10.53909/rms.04.01.0135
- Samad, A., Memon, S. B., & Ali, I. (2021). Despotic Leadership And Job Satisfaction Among Nurses: Role Of Emotional Exhaustion. Independent Journal of Management & Production, 12(1), 127-142. doi:https://doi.org/10.14807/ijmp.v12i1.1344
- Sarpong, D. A.-A., Kamil, N. M., Nkansah, D., Okyere-Kwakye, E., Aniah, E., & Amankwah, N. Y. (2025). The Moderating Role Of Transformational Leadership On The Relationship Between Perceived Organisational Politics And Employee Well-Being. International Journal of Ethics and Systems. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/ijoes-09-2024-0296
- Simanjorang, F., Baressa, A., Rahman, M., Arif, M., & Nataldo, M. (2023). Literature Review: Overtime dan Well Being Employee. Jurnal Sosial dan Humaniora, 1(2), 299-306. doi:https://doi.org/10.62017/arima
- Skevington, S. M., Lotfy, M., & O'Connell, K. A. (2004). The World Health Organization's WHOQOL-BREF Quality Of Life Assessment: Psychometric Properties And Results Of The International Field Trial. A Report From The Whoqol Group. Quality of life Research, 13(2), 299-310. doi:https://doi.org/10.1023/b:qure.0000018486.91360.00
- Teetzen, F., Bürkner, P.-C., Gregersen, S., & Vincent-Höper, S. (2022). The Mediating Effects Of Work Characteristics On The Relationship Between Transformational Leadership And Employee Well-Being: A Meta-Analytic Investigation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(5), 3133. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19053133
- Tummers, L. G., & Bakker, A. B. (2021). Leadership And Job Demands-Resources Theory: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 722080. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.722080
- WHO. (2004). Promoting Mental Health: Concepts, Emerging Evidence, Practice: Summary Report/A Report from the World Health Organization, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Collaboration with the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation and the University of Melbourne. Retrieved from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/42940
- Widyani, A. A. D., Landra, N., Sudja, N., Ximenes, M., & Sarmawa, I. W. G. (2020). The Role of Ethical Behavior and Entrepreneurial Leadership to Improve Organizational Performance. Cogent Business & Management, 7(1), 1-10. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1747827
- Xu, X., Sarfraz, M., & Nasrullah, U. (2024). Health Hazards In Sports: Exploring The Influence Of Despotic Leadership And Perceived Organizational Politics on Well-Being. Heliyon, 10(7). doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29136
- Yi?it, B., & Çakmak, B. Y. (2024). Discovering Psychological Well-Being: A Bibliometric Review. Journal of Happiness Studies, 25(5), 43. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00754-7
- Zhang, J., Zhao, S., Deng, H., Yuan, C., & Yang, Z. (2024). Influence of Interpersonal Relationship On Subjective Well-Being Of College Students: The Mediating Role of Psychological Capital. PloS one, 19(9), e0293198. doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293198
- Zhou, X., Rasool, S. F., Yang, J., & Asghar, M. Z. (2021). Exploring The Relationship Between Despotic Leadership And Job Satisfaction: The Role of Self Efficacy and Leader–Member Exchange. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5307. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105307
Author Biographies
Emelia Aniah Sunyani Technical University, Sunyani, Ghana
Emelia Aniah is a Lecturer at the Department of Secretaryship and Management Studies, Faculty of Business and Management Studies, Sunyani Technical University, Sunyani, Ghana. She holds a PhD in Organisational Leadership, MPhil in Human Resource Management and MBA from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. She also obtained her Bachelor of Education in Psychology from the University of Cape Coast.
Nana Yaa Amankwah Accra Technical University, Accra, Ghana
Nana Yaa Amankwah is a Lecturer at the Accra Technical University, Faculty of Business, Department of Management and Public Administration. Currently, she is a PhD scholar at University of Ghana reading Human Resource Management. Her Master of Philosophy from University of Ghana (Accra, Ghana) and Bachelor of Business Administration from All Nations University (Koforidua-Ghana) were both in Human Resource Management. She also has a Diploma in Education from AAMUSTED (Kumasi-Ghana). She holds an International Certificate in Growth Mindset Development. Currently, her areas of interest in research include work-family conflict, leadership, gender and employee well-being
Isaac Asare Bediako Koforidua Technical University, Koforidua, Ghana
Isaac Asare Bediako is a senior lecturer at Koforidua Technical University, Faculty of Business, Department of Secretaryship and Management Studies. Bediako holds a PhD in Management Sciences from Jiangsu University, China, Master of Business Administration from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana, and a Bachelor of Management Studies from University of Cape Coast. His current research interest is in change management, innovation adoption, organizational development and transitioning management.
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.