Machiavellianism and Bullying Behavior: Conditional Effects of Trait Activating Job Roles and Mediating Mechanism of Impression Management: A Region Based Study

Abstract

This research identifies the job-based role ambiguity which positively triggers the self-impressions of Machiavellianism personality. Machiavellian personality engaged in bullying behaviors which can be reduced by the soft impression management tactics. A field sample of 420 employees working in telecommunication sector were analyzed. Time lag research design was used to investigate the linear effects of the proposed constructs. The hypotheses were tested by using the moderated-mediation analysis. The result shows that role ambiguous job demands trigger the functional attributes of Machiavellian personality for predicting positive self-impression. The impact of Machiavellian personality on bullying behavior through moderated-mediation of role ambiguity and impression management was significantly proved. Hafsah Zahur, Tasneem Fatima and Hina Shahab Abstract