Exploitative Leadership and Subjective Career Success: A Serial Mediation Model

Abstract

TThis research was aimed to explore the relationship between exploitative leadership and subjective career success, and to examine the serial mediating roles of constructive resistance and networking in this relationship. Leveraging Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, the research examined followers’ coping strategies to safeguard resources in response to experiencing exploitative leadership. The study used the paper-and-pencil survey method to collect data from 305 employees in Pakistan’s service sector. Results of partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis indicated that exploitative leadership negatively affects subjective career success. Moreover, the results of mediation analysis employing the bootstrapping procedure confirmed the serial mediating roles of constructive resistance and networking. This study advances the leadership literature and career research by highlighting the roles of constructive resistance and networking as effective coping strategies to minimize the negative impact of exploitative leadership on subjective career success. These insights have implications for both practitioners and researchers. Organizations should promote ethical leadership, empower followers, and build resilience. Future research may examine contextual factors and multilevel leadership dynamics to deepen understanding of exploitative leadership across diverse settings.