From Toxic Leadership to Turnover Intention: A Domino Effect

Homayoun Pasha Safavi; Mona Bouzari

doi:10.30519/ahtr.1817388

From Toxic Leadership to Turnover Intention: A Domino Effect

Abstract

Drawing upon social learning theory, emotion regulation theory, and job embeddedness theory, this study empirically investigates a framework examining the linear relationships among toxic leadership, bullying (work-related, person-related, and physical intimidating), workplace incivility, and turnover intentions. By employing a purposive (judgmental) sampling technique, data were gathered from 283 airline ground employees in Tehran, Iran. The results indicate a significant relationship between toxic leadership and all three forms of bullying. In turn, these forms of bullying are significantly associated with experienced workplace incivility. Furthermore, the findings confirm the strong correlation between turnover intentions and workplace incivility, suggesting that prior exposure to incivility increases employees’ likelihood of voluntarily leaving their positions. This study uniquely integrates social learning, emotion regulation, and job embeddedness theories to empirically examine how toxic leadership leads to multiple forms of bullying, workplace incivility, and turnover intentions. The findings shed light on the mechanisms linking leadership behavior to staff withdrawal behavior and offer both theoretical and practical implications for managing staff well-being in high-pressure airline settings.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Tourism (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Homayoun Pasha Safavi ^*
0009-0001-8341-4297
Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti

Mona Bouzari
0000-0003-2082-7403
Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti

Early Pub Date

May 6, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

November 4, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 18, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1817388

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA44UP98KH

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Safavi, H. P., & Bouzari, M. (2026). From Toxic Leadership to Turnover Intention: A Domino Effect. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1817388

AMA

1.Safavi HP, Bouzari M. From Toxic Leadership to Turnover Intention: A Domino Effect. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR). 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.30519/ahtr.1817388

Chicago

Safavi, Homayoun Pasha, and Mona Bouzari. 2026. “From Toxic Leadership to Turnover Intention: A Domino Effect”. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1817388.

EndNote

Safavi HP, Bouzari M (May 1, 2026) From Toxic Leadership to Turnover Intention: A Domino Effect. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR) Advanced Online Publication

IEEE

[1]H. P. Safavi and M. Bouzari, “From Toxic Leadership to Turnover Intention: A Domino Effect”, Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), no. Advanced Online Publication, May 2026, doi: 10.30519/ahtr.1817388.

ISNAD

Safavi, Homayoun Pasha - Bouzari, Mona. “From Toxic Leadership to Turnover Intention: A Domino Effect”. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR). Advanced Online Publication (May 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1817388.

JAMA

1.Safavi HP, Bouzari M. From Toxic Leadership to Turnover Intention: A Domino Effect. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR). 2026. doi:10.30519/ahtr.1817388.

MLA

Safavi, Homayoun Pasha, and Mona Bouzari. “From Toxic Leadership to Turnover Intention: A Domino Effect”. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), no. Advanced Online Publication, May 2026, doi:10.30519/ahtr.1817388.

Vancouver

1.Homayoun Pasha Safavi, Mona Bouzari. From Toxic Leadership to Turnover Intention: A Domino Effect. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR). 2026 May 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.30519/ahtr.1817388