Loud Quitting in the Social Media Age: A Conceptual Study of Disengagement in Public Employees

Abstract

This paper aims to explore a new trend known as loud quitting, a modern method to show dissatisfaction publicly on social media platforms. It looks at the forces that lead to disengagement, such as psychological contract violations and perceived organisational injustice. This disengagement leads to an open and visible act of expression, called loud quitting, which impacts the reputation and trust in the organisation. The study provides a framework for understanding the relationship between disengagement and loud quitting, which is moderated by social media-based impression management, drawing on Social Exchange Theory, Psychological Contract Theory, and Impression Management Theory. It highlights how online voice and self-presentation shape disengagement in current times.