Work engagement as a mediator between organizational ostracism and sparking leadership

Şenel Tekin P., Kızılkaya S.

Journal of Global Business Insight, vol.10, no.1, pp.19-35, 2025 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

Abstract

Workplace ostracism can undermine employee morale, reduce productivity, and negatively impact organizational outcomes. Sparking leadership plays a vital role in shaping workplace culture and mitigating ostracism’s effects. This study investigates the mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between organizational ostracism and sparking leadership. It sheds light on how leaders can foster a more engaged workforce by reducing ostracism within organizations. It was designed as a quantitative causal survey. By examining data from 790 healthcare professionals in Turkey, the research highlights how sparking leadership can enhance work engagement and reduce ostracism. The findings show a significant negative correlation between sparking leadership and organizational ostracism, with work engagement serving as a key mediator. This study emphasizes the importance of sparking leadership in creating inclusive, high-performing workplace environments.

Keywords

intrinsic motivation, organizational commitment, leadership support, social interaction, healthcare