The workaholism-cohesion nexus: How organizational persistence redefines the relation?

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between workaholism and organizational cohesion, and whether organizational persistence acts as a moderator. While workaholism often disrupts team dynamics and causes emotional exhaustion, organizational cohesion—defined as mutual trust and collaboration—is vital for performance. This research examines how organizational persistence (the ability to maintain core values while remaining environmentally flexible) alters this dynamic. Data were collected via a quantitative survey from 391 academic staff members at the University of Kufa and analyzed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal a significant negative correlation between workaholism and organizational cohesion, confirming that excessive work intensity damages team spirit. However, organizational persistence significantly dampened this negative effect. These results demonstrate that organizations with high adaptive capacity, supportive leadership, and robust structures are better equipped to mitigate the disruptive impacts of workaholism. To sustain long-term effectiveness without sacrificing employee well-being, organizations must cultivate a shared ethos of flexibility, support, and balanced commitment.