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How come followers can thrive despite leader incivility? The buffering effect of leader support on follower positive affect

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  • Ridwan Saptoto

    (University of Twente
    Universitas Gadjah Mada)

  • Desirée H. Dun

    (University of Twente)

  • Celeste P. M. Wilderom

    (University of Twente)

Abstract

Occasionally, leaders may express incivility towards their followers. Notwithstanding the leader’s incivility, support from the same leader may help their followers thrive. This study examined the affective mechanisms of follower thriving in the face of leader incivility. The hypotheses were built on the job demands-resources and the broaden-and-build theories, as well as the affective events theory; while leader incivility was expected to reduce followers’ positive affect and increase negative affect, thereby hindering follower thriving, leader support was expected to buffer the negative impact of leader incivility. The data was collected from Indonesian employees (N = 228) in three waves, whereupon structural equation modeling was performed. The relationship between leader incivility and follower thriving was mediated by followers’ positive and negative affect, while leader support alleviated the negative impact of leader incivility on followers’ positive affect. This finding extends the affective events theory by linking it to the job demands-resources theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Ridwan Saptoto & Desirée H. Dun & Celeste P. M. Wilderom, 2025. "How come followers can thrive despite leader incivility? The buffering effect of leader support on follower positive affect," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 24(2), pages 276-309, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:abaman:v:24:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1057_s41291-025-00295-8
    DOI: 10.1057/s41291-025-00295-8
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