Abstract
Abusive leadership is a critically important issue in modern organizations because of its far-reaching and deeply detrimental effects on employees, teams, and overall organizational performance. Its importance stems from the need to understand, mitigate, and prevent behaviors that can erode workplace well-being and productivity. This bibliometric review examines the evolving landscape of research on abusive leadership from 2010 to 2024, highlighting key trends, influential authors, and prominent journals in the field. Utilizing the Scopus scientific database, the study identifies 362 relevant documents, revealing a significant concentration of research within the domains of Business, Management, and Accounting. The findings underscore the detrimental impact of abusive leadership on employee well-being, motivation, and organizational performance, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of its antecedents and consequences. Notable contributors, including Julian Barling and Barbara Schyns, are recognized for their foundational theories and empirical studies, while leading journals such as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Leadership Quarterly and the Journal of Business Ethics are identified as critical platforms for disseminating impactful research. This review not only maps the current state of abusive leadership literature but also provides insights for future research directions, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach to address the ethical and psychological implications of abusive leadership behaviors in organizational settings.
Keywords: Abusive Leadership, Bibliometric Analysis, Leadership Research, Organizational Behavior, VOS Viewer