THE IMPACT OF AUTHORITARIAN LEADERSHIP ON PROJECT SUCCESS: EXAMINING THE MEDIATING ROLE OF EMOTIONAL EXHAUSTION AND THE MODERATING ROLE OF CO-WORKER SUPPORT

Abstract

This study investigates whether a project manager’s authoritarian leadership style influences project success directly and indirectly through the underlying mechanism of project team members’ emotional exhaustion while understanding the effect of the moderating role of co-worker support between authoritarian leadership and emotional exhaustion. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, this research posits that authoritarian leadership fosters an environment conducive to emotional exhaustion, decreasing motivation, performance, and overall project success. The study employs a quantitative method; data were collected from project-based employees working across major construction companies in Pakistan to comprehend these dynamics. Additionally, the study examines how co-worker support can buffer the negative effects of emotional exhaustion, providing a critical moderating influence that enhances team resilience and performance. Preliminary findings indicate that higher levels of authoritarian leadership are significantly correlated with increased emotional exhaustion among team members, which negatively impacts project success metrics such as timeliness, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction. Conversely, strong co-worker support mitigates the adverse effects of emotional exhaustion, leading to improved project outcomes.This research contributes to the project management literature on leadership and organizational effectiveness by elucidating the mechanisms through which leadership styles affect team dynamics and project success. Practically, this study offers valuable insights for organizational leaders and managers aiming to enhance project performance and employee well-being in authoritarian contexts.