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Article Details

Vol. 6 No. 3 (2026): September

Workplace Bullying as a Barrier to Gen Z Job Performance at Manufacturing Industry in Batam

https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v6.n3.p339-353.2026

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the effect of ethical leadership on job performance among Generation Z employees in Batam’s manufacturing industry, while testing workplace bullying as a mediator and organizational concern as a moderator.

Methodology: A quantitative survey design was employed. Data were collected through online questionnaires (Google Forms) administered to Generation Z employees in the manufacturing sector of Batam. Purposive sampling yielded 263 valid responses. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) with SmartPLS software.

Results: Ethical leadership significantly and positively affected job performance and workplace bullying (reducing it). Workplace bullying does not exert a significant direct effect on job performance; however, it significantly mediates the relationship between ethical leadership and job performance. Organizational concern did not significantly moderate the relationship between ethical leadership and job performance.

Conclusions: Ethical leadership enhances job performance and reduces workplace bullying among Generation Z employees. Although workplace bullying has no direct impact on job performance, it serves as a significant mediating pathway through which ethical leadership enhances employee performance. Organizational concern was not a significant moderator of this relationship.

Limitations: The study is limited to Generation Z respondents in Batam’s manufacturing sector and relies on self-reported survey data, which may limit its external validity and generalizability.

Contributions: The findings provide practical guidance for manufacturing firms to strengthen ethical leadership and reduce workplace bullying, thereby supporting improved performance among the Generation Z workforce.

Keywords

Ethical Leadership Generation Z Job Performance Organizational Concern Workplace Bullying

How to Cite

Asri, D. H., Nandini, R., & Anggraini, R. (2026). Workplace Bullying as a Barrier to Gen Z Job Performance at Manufacturing Industry in Batam. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 6(3), 339–353. https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v6.n3.p339-353.2026 (Original work published September 3, 2026)

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Authors

1 Dhita Hafizha Asri
Universitas Internasional Batam, Batam, Indonesia
2 R. Nandini
Universitas Internasional Batam, Batam, Indonesia
3 Ratih Anggraini
Universitas Internasional Batam, Batam, Indonesia

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Vol. 6 No. 3 (2026): September
Section: Articles
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