Organizational Cynicism as a Predictor of Counterproductive Workplace Behaviour Among Local Government Employees in Delta State, Nigeria.

This study examined the influence of organizational cynicism on counterproductive workplace behaviour among employees of local government councils in Delta State, Nigeria, focusing specifically on how the cognitive, affective, and behavioural dimensions of cynicism predict counterproductive work behaviour. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population comprised 1,398 employees drawn from three local government councils representing each senatorial district in Delta State (Delta North, Delta Centre and Delta South). Using the Taro Yamane formula, a sample of 311 respondents was proportionately drawn and selected through simple random sampling. A structured questionnaire, validated by experts and found reliable with a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.86, was administered, yielding a 100 percent response rate. Data were analysed using multiple regression analysis in EViews. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between cognitive cynicism and counterproductive workplace behaviour (β = 0.4099, p = 0.0179 < 0.05) and between affective cynicism and counterproductive workplace behaviour (β = 1.2985, p = 0.0000 < 0.05), while behavioural cynicism exhibited a significant negative relationship with counterproductive workplace behaviour (β = -0.6990, p = 0.0146 < 0.05). The study concludes that organizational cynicism significantly shapes employee conduct in local government councils and recommends improved transparency between policy and practice, the establishment of employee wellness and emotional support systems, and the creation of constructive channels through which employees can voice dissatisfaction.

Organizational cynicism, cognitive cynicism, affective cynicism, behavioural cynicism, counterproductive workplace behaviour, local government, Nigeria

1. Abubakar, A. M., Chauhan, A., & Kura, K. M. (2023). The role of ethical leadership in curbing organizational cynicism and deviance: A multilevel perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 186(2), 381–398. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Adebayo, S. O., & Onuoha, C. O. (2023). Employee grievances and behavioural outcomes in the Nigerian local government system. Journal of Organizational Behaviour in Africa, 9(1), 33–49. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Adeyemi, B. O., & Sule, A. A. (2021). Behavioural cynicism and deviance among civil servants in Nigeria. Journal of African Business, 22(4), 513–530. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Ahmad, S., Mahmood, A., & Kaleem, A. (2021). How organizational cynicism leads to deviant workplace behaviour: The mediating role of job stress. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 29(1), 204–222. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behaviour. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Akinbode, G. A., & Adedoyin, T. O. (2021). Organizational justice and workplace cynicism: Evidence from public service employees in Nigeria. African Journal of Business Management, 15(4), 101–112. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Akpomiemie, P., Aruoren, E. E., Omoye, I. E., Igbomor, E., & Olisemenogor, C. H. (2026). Authentic Leadership and Silence: Role of Commitment. International Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Scope 7(1):146-156. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Akram, T., Lei, Z., Haider, M. J., & Hussain, S. (2022). Emotional exhaustion and counterproductive work behaviour: A moderated mediation model. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 30(1), 139–159. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Aruoren, E. E., & Ugbeghene, J. (2023). Relationship between Workplace Incivility andEmployee Performance. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(6),927 – 942. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Aryee, S., & Boateng, F. (2020). Behavioural manifestations of cynicism and the erosion of organizational trust. Journal of Applied Psychology in Africa, 15(1), 99–112. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Bedeian, A. G. (2021). Cynicism as a functional response: Rethinking workplace voice and misbehaviour. Journal of Management Inquiry, 30(1), 78–87. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Blau, P. M. (1964). Exchange and power in social life. Wiley. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Chou, T. C., & Choi, J. N. (2020). Venting or harming? Understanding the role of behavioural cynicism. Human Relations, 73(5), 695–720. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Chughtai, A. (2022). Linking organizational cynicism to workplace deviance: The role of moral disengagement. Employee Relations, 44(4), 789–806. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Chukwuma, V. O., & Okolie, C. I. (2022). Employee engagement as a predictor of counterproductive work behaviour in local government councils. Journal of Psychology and Behavioural Studies, 10(4), 63–76. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Dalal, R. S., Lam, H., Weiss, H. M., Welch, E. R., & Hulin, C. L. (2020). A dynamic model of the interplay between job satisfaction and counterproductive work behavior. Journal of Applied Psychology, 105(3), 279–300. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Dimgba, C. M., Ikon, M. A., & Onwuchekwa, F. C. (2022). Organizational cynicism and employee performance of logistics companies in Southwest Nigeria. European Journal of Business and Innovation Research, 10(1), 18–34. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Eruvwe, O. E., Tarurhor, E. M., Aruoren, E. E., & Omoye, E. I. (2024). Business Management ethics and customers retention in selected money-deposit banks in Delta and Edo States Nigeria. American International Journal of Business Management (AIJBM), 7(6), 30-42. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Eze, A. U., & Onwuka, J. C. (2024). Predictors of workplace counterproductivity in Nigerian local government secretariats. Nigerian Journal of Public Sector Studies, 9(1), 45–58. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Ezeh, L. N., & Etodike, C. E. (2020). Abusive supervision and organizational cynicism as predictors of cyber-loafing among federal civil service employees in Anambra State, Nigeria. European Journal of Human Resource Management Studies, 1(2), 19–36. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Ezenwaka, D., Okolie, U. C., & Nwaubani, O. O. (2020). Bureaucratic dysfunction and employee disengagement in Nigerian local governments. Journal of Public Administration and Policy Research, 12(3), 44–52. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Hamzah, K. D. (2023). The effect of toxic leadership on deviant work behaviour: The mediating role of employee cynicism. Texas Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 18, 92–107. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Hossain, A., & Rahman, M. (2020). Employee affective states and silent resistance in South Asian organizations. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 30(6), 718–734. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Ike, O. O., Chuke, N. N., & Nnamchi, O. C. (2024). Organizational cynicism and turnover intention among nurses: Do perceived organizational support moderate the relationship? SAGE Open Nursing, 10, 23779608241251717. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Iwuoha, V. C., & Okere, C. (2023). Public sector work ethics and employee cynicism in Nigerian local government administration. Journal of African Governance, 12(1), 67–83. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Kiyani, T. M., & Afsar, B. (2020). The impact of perceived organizational hypocrisy on employee deviance. Journal of Business Ethics, 162(4), 779–795. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Kuo, H. C., Wang, Y. F., & Lien, Y. C. (2021). Organizational cynicism and its consequences: A cross-level analysis. Asia Pacific Management Review, 26(2), 102–111. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Lehmann, S. K., Sanders, T., & Myers, T. A. (2021). Workplace stress and employee misconduct: A meta-analytic review. Occupational Health Science, 5(2), 112–135. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Marcus, B., Taylor, O. A., Hastings, S. E., Sturm, A., & Weigelt, O. (2019). The structure of counterproductive work behaviors: A review of recent developments. Personnel Psychology, 72(1), 7–41. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Mensah, R. O., & Adjei, J. K. (2020). Exploring silent cynicism in African workspaces. African Journal of Management Studies, 15(3), 215–233. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Nasir, M., & Ghumman, S. (2021). Employee emotional detachment and workplace behaviour in public sector organizations. Public Administration Quarterly, 45(4), 432–455. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Obi, O. E., & Eze, F. C. (2022). Cultural orientation and emotional workplace behaviour in Nigeria's civil service. African Journal of Applied Psychology, 28(2), 59–74. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Obi, T. C., & Okafor, C. J. (2021). Work environment and counterproductive work behavior among civil servants in Nigeria. African Journal of Human Resource Management, 9(2), 53–67. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Ogunleye, A., & Folarin, A. (2023). The interplay between behavioural cynicism and interpersonal conflict in public service. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 36(2), 129–147. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Okolie, U. C. (2024). Resistance to change and counterproductive work behaviour in the Nigerian banking sector. Journal of Administrative Science, 21(2), 206–230. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Okoro, G., & Akinbode, A. (2023). Organizational culture, cognitive cynicism, and disengagement among public sector employees in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Management Sciences, 19(1), 65–78. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Omodia, S. M. (2022). The challenges of public sector human resource development in Nigeria's local government. Journal of Public Sector Management, 8(1), 15–28. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Omoye, E. I., Aruoren, E. E., Tarurhor, E. M., & Eruvwe, O. E. (2024). Leadership style and employee service delivery in money deposit banks in Delta State, Nigeria. International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management, 6(6), 345–358. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Omoye, E. I., Tarurhor, E. M., & Aruoren, E. E. (2024). Job dissatisfaction and employee retention in money deposit banks in South-South Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities, Social Science and Management, 4(6), 600–615. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Omoye, E.I. (2026). Securing the future: How talent retention strategies drive the sustainability of Deposit Money Banks in Southern Nigeria. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(11), 4919-4928. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Omoye, E.I., Akpos, E. & Dibie, T.O. (2026). Committed to perform: Organizational commitment as driver of bank employee performance in Nigeria. International Journal of Commerce and Management Research, 12(2), 273-280. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Omoye, I. E. (2025). Innovative quality control management and employee productivity in packaged water firms in Delta State. DELSU Journal of Management Sciences, 7(2), 283-295. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Ortega-Parra, A., & Sastre-Castillo, M. A. (2020). Impact of organizational justice on organizational cynicism and counterproductive behaviour. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 26(2), 90–98. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Oyeleye, O. A., Okoro, J. O., & Fadare, S. O. (2022). Organizational trust and employee cynicism: Evidence from Nigerian civil service. Public Administration Research, 11(2), 45–56. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. Rana, S., & Sharma, V. (2021). Understanding affective cynicism and its behavioural outcomes. Management Insight, 17(2), 112–125. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Rathi, N., & Lee, K. (2022). Talking back to the system: How behavioural cynicism moderates toxic leadership. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 43(3), 345–360. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Sahoo, C. K., & Sia, S. K. (2022). Organizational cynicism: The mediating role in ethical climate and workplace behaviour. Management Research Review, 45(1), 130–146. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. Spector, P. E., Penney, L. M., Goh, A., & Bruursema, K. (2021). The role of emotion in the work behavior deviance model. Human Resource Management Review, 31(2), 100720. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. Tom, E. C., Young, O. U., Muhammad, A., Jeroh, E., Emumeena, M. O., Omoye, E. I., Igiagbe, J. I.,& Odiase, B. O. (2025). Oil demand-supply equilibria in some selected regions: macroeconomic implications for market stability and energy security. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 16(SI), 36-51. https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2025-SI03 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

50. Ugbeghene, J. & Eromafuru, E.G. (2026). Leading with care or control? Paternalistic leadership and employee performance in a Nigerian Local Government Council. International Journal of Commerce and Management Research, 12(2), 201-208. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

51. Ugwu, F., Nwali, A. C., Ugwu, L. E., Okafor, C. O., Ozurumba, K. C., & Onyishi, I. E. (2023). Mediating roles of employee cynicism and workplace ostracism on the relationship between perceived organizational politics and counterproductive work behaviour. Career Development International, 28(3), 314–332. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

52. Vardi, Y., & Wiener, Y. (2022). Misbehavior in organizations: A motivational framework. Journal of Management, 48(4), 803–826. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

53. Yusuff, K. A., & Adegoke, A. O. (2023). Impact of workplace cynicism on organizational commitment among teachers in Nigeria. International Journal of Social Science Research, 11(1), 88–101. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

54. Zhang, J., & Chen, M. (2021). Linking organizational trust and job performance: The moderating role of cynicism. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(14), 2956–2978 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Organizational Trust and Job Stress Among Bank Employees in Warri, Delta State