Building lecturer resilience through Islamic workplace spirituality: addressing the impact of toxic work environments and financial anxiety on turnover intentions

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the high turnover intention (TI) among university lecturers in Indonesia, driven by toxic work environments, work overload and narcissistic leadership. It also examines the mediating role of work stress (WS) and how financial anxiety and Islamic workplace spirituality (IWS) moderate these effects.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was used with a structured questionnaire adapted to the Indonesian context. Data were collected from 384 lecturers across various universities. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis, including mediation and moderation models.

Findings

Toxic work environment, work overload and narcissistic leadership significantly increase WS, which in turn raises TI. Financial anxiety strengthens the impact of these three factors on WS, highlighting its exacerbating role. Conversely, IWS reduces the negative impact of WS on TI, acting as a mitigating factor. In addition, WS significantly mediates the relationship between the three stressors and TI.

Research limitations/implications

Universities should create a healthy work climate, manage workload, control narcissistic leadership behavior and foster Islamic spiritual values to reduce turnover.

Social implications

By addressing workplace toxicity, financial stress and leadership issues through spiritual inclusivity, this study supports lecturer well-being and promotes social sustainability in higher education institutions.

Originality/value

This study offers a novel contribution by integrating financial anxiety and IWS as moderators in the TI framework. It enhances understanding of how financial and spiritual dimensions influence employee retention in Indonesian higher education.