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Do workplace contextual factors engender abusive supervision?

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  • Shahid Khan

Abstract

Drawing upon affective events theory (AET), this study seeks to investigate the effects of workplace contextual factors – such as procedural justice climate (PJC), or a lack thereof – on subordinates’ ‘perception of abusive supervision’ (AS), which is largely overlooked in the domain of AS. The data (213 subordinates across 51 work groups) showed that subordinates’ perception of AS and their feelings of anger, in turn, mediated the deleterious effects of PJC (or a lack thereof) on subordinates’ organisational citizenship behaviours (OCBs). The study contributes to the AS literature by highlighting and investigating PJC, building on understanding around subordinates’ perceptions of AS. Also, by incorporating a two-stage mediating mechanism (stage 1: AS, stage 2: anger), this study investigates the full impact of the cascading effects of AS. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. JEL Classification: C3, C31, C91, D23

Suggested Citation

  • Shahid Khan, 2021. "Do workplace contextual factors engender abusive supervision?," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 46(1), pages 132-150, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ausman:v:46:y:2021:i:1:p:132-150
    DOI: 10.1177/0312896219899435
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Samuel Aryee & Li-Yun Sun & Zhen Xiong George Chen & Yaw A. Debrah, 2008. "Abusive Supervision and Contextual Performance: The Mediating Role of Emotional Exhaustion and the Moderating Role of Work Unit Structure," Management and Organization Review, The International Association for Chinese Management Research, vol. 4(3), pages 393-411, November.
    2. Haesang Park & Jenny M. Hoobler & Junfeng Wu & Robert C. Liden & Jia Hu & Morgan S. Wilson, 2019. "Abusive Supervision and Employee Deviance: A Multifoci Justice Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 158(4), pages 1113-1131, September.
    3. Yucheng Zhang & Timothy C. Bednall, 2016. "Antecedents of Abusive Supervision: a Meta-analytic Review," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 139(3), pages 455-471, December.
    4. Aryee, Samuel & Sun, Li-Yun & Chen, Zhen Xiong George & Debrah, Yaw A., 2008. "Abusive Supervision and Contextual Performance: The Mediating Role of Emotional Exhaustion and the Moderating Role of Work Unit Structure," Management and Organization Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 4(3), pages 393-411, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Piotr Rogala & Bartosz Bartniczak & Tomasz Brzozowski & Marta Kusterka-Jefmańska & Marta Moczulska & Agnieszka Panasiewicz & Adam Płachciak & Sabina Zaremba-Warnke, 2023. "The role of justice in development of temporary teams: Evidence from the high-tech industry," Nowoczesne Systemy Zarządzania. Modern Management Systems, Military University of Technology, Faculty of Security, Logistics and Management, Institute of Organization and Management, issue 4, pages 69-88.

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    JEL classification:

    • C3 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables
    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights

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