SavedAdd your journal

Journals / İşletme Bilimi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 14 Sayı: 1

Organizational Antecedents of Quiet Quitting: The Impact of Toxic Work Environments on Quiet Quitting

Tuğba Özsoy(SAKARYA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES)0000-0002-9877-1887
Pages
118–130
Publication Date
2026-03-03
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate a positive and significant relationship between organizational toxicity and quiet quitting.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, quiet quitting has become widely discussed, attracting significant empirical research.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Data were collected from 245 employees working in the public and private sectors through an online survey and analyzed using statistical analyses.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate a positive and significant relationship between organizational toxicity and quiet quitting.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Quiet Quitting · Organizational Toxicity · Narcissistic Behaviors

Abstract

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, quiet quitting has become widely discussed, attracting significant empirical research. Despite increasing studies on its antecedents, the organizational factors contributing to quiet quitting remain underexplored. This study examines the relationship between organizational toxicity and quiet quitting by focusing on four key dimensions: toxicity stemming from aggressive behaviors, narcissistic behaviors, unethical behaviors, and rigid behaviors. Data were collected from 245 employees working in the public and private sectors through an online survey and analyzed using statistical analyses. The findings indicate a positive and significant relationship between organizational toxicity and quiet quitting. Multiple regression analysis revealed that rigid behaviors were the strongest predictor of quiet quitting among the dimensions of organizational toxicity. Additionally, younger employees exhibited a greater tendency toward quiet quitting. These findings suggest that toxic work environments play a crucial role in employees’ disengagement and withdrawal behaviors, emphasizing the need for organizations to address workplace toxicity to foster employee commitment and well-being.

🔖

Cite This Article

Özsoy, T. (2026). Organizational Antecedents of Quiet Quitting: The Impact of Toxic Work Environments on Quiet Quitting. İşletme Bilimi Dergisi, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 1, 118–130. https://doi.org/10.22139/jobs.1677415

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (64)

  1. Anand, A., Doll, J., & Ray, P. (2024). Drowning in silence: A scale development and validation of quiet quitting and quiet firing. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 32(4), 721-743. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-01-2023-3600
  2. Appelbaum, S. H., & Roy‐Girard, D. (2007). Toxins in the workplace: Affect on organizations and employees. Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, 7(1), 17-28.
  3. Arar, T., Çetiner, N., & Yurdakul, G. (2023). Quiet quitting: Building a comprehensive theoretical framework. Akademik Araştırmalar ve Çalışmalar Dergisi (AKAD), 15(28), 122-138. https://doi.org/10.20990/kilisiibfakademik.1245216
  4. Ayabakan, B. Ç. (2023). İş etiği penceresinden sessiz istifa. Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimlerde Yenilikçi Yaklaşımlar Dergisi, 7(2), 106-126. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijiasos.2023.574.3
  5. Aydin, E., & Azizoğlu, Ö. (2022). A new term for an existing concept: Quiet quitting—a self-determination perspective. In Proceedings of the International Congress on Critical Debates in Social Sciences (pp. 285-295).
  6. Badar, K., Aboramadan, M., & Plimmer, G. (2023). Despotic vs narcissistic leadership: Differences in their relationship to emotional exhaustion and turnover intentions. International Journal of Conflict Management, 34(4), 818-837.
  7. Beerel, A. (2009). Leadership and change management. Sage.
  8. Blau, P. M. (1964). Exchange and power in social life. Wiley.
  9. Braje, I. N. (2022). Can toxic organizational culture really cause the great resignation: In search of answers. Full Paper Proceeding Multidisciplinary Studies, 6(3), 1-9.
  10. Brett, J. M., & Stroh, L. K. (2003). Working 61 plus hours a week: Why do managers do it? Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(1), 67.
  11. Carlock, D. H. (2013). Beyond bullying: A holistic exploration of the organizational toxicity phenomenon [Doctoral dissertation, Pepperdine University].
  12. Çalışkan, K. (2023). Sessiz istifa: Sonun başlangıcı mı yeniden diriliş mi? Journal of Organizational Behavior Review, 5(2), 190-204.
  13. Demir, B. (2020). Örgütlerde toksik lider ve toksik ilişkiler. Balkan ve Yakın Doğu Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 6, 31-35.
  14. Dominique Ferreira, S., Oliveira, M., & Prentice, C. (2023). Organizational commitment: The role of organizational happiness and quiet quitting. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Tourism, Technology and Systems (pp. 61-70). Springer Nature.
  15. Elgan, M. (2022). It’s time to quit quitting on the quiet quitters. https://www.computerworld.com/article/1613093/its-time-to-quit-quitting-on-the-quiet-quitters.html
  16. Formica, S., & Sfodera, F. (2022). The Great Resignation and quiet quitting paradigm shifts: An overview of current situation and future research directions. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 31(8), 899-907. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2022.2136601
  17. Frost, P. J. (2003). Emotions in the workplace and the important role of toxin handlers. Ivey Business Journal, 68, 1–6.
  18. Galanis, P., Moisoglou, I., Malliarou, M., Papathanasiou, I. V., Katsiroumpa, A., Vraka, I., Siskou, O., Konstantakopoulou, O., & Kaitelidou, D. (2023a). Quiet quitting among nurses increases their turnover intention: Evidence from Greece in the post-COVID-19 era. Healthcare, 12(1), 79. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12010079
  19. Galanis, P., Katsiroumpa, A., Vraka, I., Siskou, O., Konstantakopoulou, O., Moisogluo, I., Gallos, P., & Kaitelidou, D. (2023b). The quiet quitting scale: Development and initial validation. AIMS Public Health, 10(4), 828.
  20. Galanis, P., Katsiroumpa, A., Vraka, I., Siskou, O., Konstantakopoulou, O., Katsoulas, T., Moisoglou, I., Gallos, P., & Kaitelidou, D. (2024). Nurses quietly quit their job more often than other healthcare workers: An alarming issue for healthcare services. International Nursing Review, 71(4), 850-859.
  21. Garver, K. (2022, 30 March). 5 attributes of a toxic culture, according to Glassdoor reviews. Staffing Hub. https://staffinghub.com/employee-experience/5-attributes-of-a-toxic-culture-according-to-glassdoor-reviews/
  22. George, A. S. (2023). Toxicity in the workplace: The silent killer of careers and lives. Partners Universal International Innovation Journal, 1(2), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7852087
  23. Gunderman, R. B., & Sechrist, E. M. Z. (2019). How neglect fosters workplace toxicity. Journal of the American College of Radiology, 16(2), 252-254.
  24. Gupte, A. (2022). Decoding quiet quitting. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/decoding-quiet-quitting-ashlesha-gupte/
  25. Gül, H. (2006). Etik dışı davranışlar ve ussallaştırılması: Devlet hastanelerinde bir uygulama. Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey Üniversitesi Sosyal ve Ekonomik Araştırmalar Dergisi, 2006(1), 65-79.
  26. Hamouche, S., Koritos, C., & Papastathopoulos, A. (2023). Quiet quitting: Relationship with other concepts and implications for tourism and hospitality. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 35(12), 4297-4312.
  27. Helmy, I., Azizah, S. N., Supriyani, T., & Pratama, F. (2024). Employee perception of CSR and quiet quitting behavior: The mediating role of work meaningfulness. Grenze International Journal of Engineering & Technology (GIJET, 10).
  28. Hitt, W. D. (1990). Ethics and leadership: Putting theory into practice. Battelle Press.
  29. Hopke, T. (2022). Quiet quitting: The culture reset gift most companies needed. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/teresahopke/2022/09/30/quiet-quittingthe-culture-reset-gift-most-companies-needed/
  30. Karrani, M. A., Bani-Melhem, S., & Mohd-Shamsudin, F. (2024). Employee quiet quitting behaviours: Conceptualization, measure development, and validation. The Service Industries Journal, 44(3-4), 218-236.
  31. Kasalak, G. (2015). Organizational toxicity in higher education: Sources, effects, and coping strategies [Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Akdeniz University].
  32. Kasalak, G. (2019). Algılanan örgütsel toksisitenin iş doyumu üzerine etkisi: Duygusal bağlılığın aracılık rolü. OPUS International Journal of Society Researches, 13(19), 1283-1309. https://doi.org/10.26466/opus.537424
  33. Kerse, G., Deniz, V., & Çakıcı, A. B. (2024). Sessiz istifa ölçeğinin Türkçe formunun psikometrik özelliklerinin sınanması. Gümüşhane Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 15(3), 749-762.
  34. Lal, B., Dwivedi, Y. K., & Haag, M. (2023). Working from home during Covid-19: Doing and managing technology-enabled social interaction with colleagues at a distance. Information Systems Frontiers, 25(4), 1333-1350. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-021-10182-0
  35. Liu-Lastres, B., Karatepe, O. M., & Okumus, F. (2024). Combating quiet quitting: Implications for future research and practices for talent management. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 36(1), 13-24.
  36. Lyons, S. T., & Kuron, L. K. (2014). Generational differences in the workplace: A review of the evidence and directions for future research. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 35(S1), 139-157.
  37. Mahand, T., & Caldwell, C. (2023). Quiet quitting–causes and opportunities. Business and Management Research, 12(1), 9-19. https://doi.org/10.5430/bmr.v12n1p9
  38. Maitlis, S. (2008). Organizational toxicity. In S. Clegg & J. Bailey (Eds). International Encyclopedia of Organization Studies. Sage Publications.
  39. Mathushan, P., Opatha, H. H. D. N. P., & Kengatharan, N. (2025). Is quiet quitting real? Evidence from a developing country. Sri Lankan Journal of Human Resource Management, 15(1), 52-69.
  40. Miller, J. D., Lynam, D. R., Hyatt, C. S., & Campbell, W. K. (2017). Controversies in narcissism. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 13(1), 291-315.
  41. Mohammadi, H., Ahmadi, H., & Rajabpour, E. (2024). Impact of toxic work environment on quiet quitting with psychological capital mediation. Journal of Strategic Human Resource Management, 13(1), 29-42.
  42. Neuman, J. H., & Baron, R. A. (1998). Workplace violence and workplace aggression: Evidence concerning specific forms, potential causes, and preferred targets. Journal of Management, 24(3), 391-419.
  43. Nevicka, B., Van Vianen, A. E., De Hoogh, A. H., & Voorn, B. (2018). Narcissistic leaders: An asset or a liability? Leader visibility, follower responses, and group-level absenteeism. Journal of Applied Psychology, 103(7), 703-715.
  44. Ng, E. S., Schweitzer, L., & Lyons, S. T. (2010). New generation, great expectations: A field study of the millennial generation. Journal of Business and Psychology, 25(2), 281-292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-010-9159-4
  45. Nguyen, H. T., & Vu, M. H. (2025). Quiet quitting: Insights from Generation Z workers in Vietnam. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management, 13(1), 8267-8282.
  46. Nimmi, P. M., Syed, F., Manjaly, N. B., & Harsha, G. (2024). Employee’s narrative on quiet quitting–A qualitative analysis. Employee Relations: The International Journal, 46(7), 1406-1421.
  47. Önder, N. (2022). Herkesin konuştuğu sessiz istifa. Marketing Türkiye. https://www.marketingturkiye.com.tr/haberler/sessiz-istifa-nedir/
  48. Özer, Y. (2022). Gürültülü sessizlik. Dünya. Ekonomim. https://www.ekonomim.com/kose-yazisi/gurultulu-sessizlik/670372
  49. Özsoy, E. (2019). Yöneticilerin karanlık kişilik özelliklerinin çalışanların tükenmişlik düzeylerine etkisi. Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Meslek Yüksekokulu Dergisi, 22(1), 194-203.
  50. Özsoy, E., & Ardıç, K. (2017). Examining the effects of the dark triad (narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy) on job satisfaction. Yönetim ve Ekonomi Dergisi, 24(2), 391-406. https://doi.org/10.18657/yonveek.297733
  51. Öztürk, E., Arıkan, Ö. U., & Ocak, M. (2023). Understanding quiet quitting: Triggers, antecedents, and consequences. Uluslararası Davranış, Sürdürülebilirlik ve Yönetim Dergisi, 10(18), 57-79. https://doi.org/10.54709/jobesam.1299018
  52. Rasool, S. F., Maqbool, R., Samma, M., Zhao, Y., & Anjum, A. (2019). Positioning depression as a critical factor in creating a toxic workplace environment for diminishing worker productivity. Sustainability, 11(9), 2589.
  53. Rasool, S. F., Wang, M., Tang, M., Saeed, A., & Iqbal, J. (2021). How toxic workplace environment affects employee engagement: The mediating role of organizational support and employee wellbeing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2294.
  54. Serdar, E., & Özsoy, E. (2019). İstismarcı yönetim: Bir literatür taraması. İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 2(1), 1-11.
  55. Toska, A., Dimitriadou, I., Togas, C., Nikolopoulou, E., Fradelos, E. C., Papathanasiou, I. V., & Saridi, M. (2025). Quiet quitting in the hospital context: Investigating conflicts, organizational support, and professional engagement in Greece. Nursing Reports, 15(2), 38.
  56. Volmer, J., Koch, I. K., & Göritz, A. S. (2016). The bright and dark sides of leaders' dark triad traits: Effects on subordinates' career success and well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 101, 413-418.
  57. Wang, Z., Zaman, S., Rasool, S. F., Zaman, Q. U., & Amin, A. (2020). Exploring the relationships between a toxic workplace environment, workplace stress, and project success with the moderating effect of organizational support: Empirical evidence from Pakistan. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 13, 1055-1067.
  58. Whicker, M. L. (1996). Toxic leaders: When organizations go bad. Quorum Books.
  59. Wolf, L. A., Perhats, C., Delao, A. M., & Clark, P. R. (2017). Workplace aggression as cause and effect: Emergency nurses' experiences of working fatigued. International Emergency Nursing, 33, 48-52.
  60. Xueyun, Z., Al Mamun, A., Yang, Q., Naznen, F., & Ali, M. H. (2025). Modeling quiet quitting intention among academics: Mediating effect of work addiction and satisfaction. Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, 40(1), 84-120. https://doi.org/10.1080/15555240.2024.2323636
  61. Yıldız, S., & Özmenekşe, Y. O. (2022). Kaçınılmaz son: Sessiz istifa. Al Farabi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 7(4), 14-24.
  62. Yuan, S. (2022). Silent resistance against social pressures in China. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 6(1), 11-12.
  63. Yücel, E., & Zarper, A. (2024). The effects of unethical practices on the burnout level of accounting professionals and an implementation in Bursa Province. Anadolu İktisat ve İşletme Dergisi, 8(2), 93-111. https://doi.org/10.59293/anadoluiid.1507450
  64. Zheng, X., Song, J., Shi, X., Kan, C., & Chen, C. (2025). The effect of authoritarian leadership on young nurses' burnout: The mediating role of organizational climate and psychological capital. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4389032/v1