Can moral identity mitigate the harmful effects of organisational cynicism?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal that moral identity at work may reduce the harmful effects of cynicism by acting as a buffer and may also reduce time theft, which is one of the deviant behaviours towards the organisation that is potentially attributable to organisational injustice. A data collection procedure was carried out through face-to-face interviews with 339 full-time personnel from organisations which are operating in the manufacturing industry in Kayseri (one of the most industrialised cities in Turkey). The research results have been found to be supportive of the hypotheses developed, which is that organisational justice was identified as having a negative effect on time theft. Additionally, it was found that cynicism plays a mediating role in the relationship between organisational justice and time theft and that moral identity has a moderating impact, as expected.