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Examining the within‐person effects of abusive supervision on multifoci deviance: Ethical climate as a moderator

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  • Hongqing Wang
  • Jiuling Xiao

Abstract

We examine the dynamic mechanism by which daily abusive supervision affects daily multifoci deviance through daily negative emotion and investigate the boundary conditions of this mechanism. Using a daily diary sample from 73 employees completed with quantitative responses for five consecutive weekdays, we find that daily abusive supervision has a significant positive effect on daily organization‐, supervisor‐, coworker‐, and customer‐directed deviance and that daily negative emotion mediates these relationships. A supplementary study reveals that the indirect effect of daily abusive supervision on daily supervisor‐directed deviance mainly occurs via anger and that the indirect effect of daily abusive supervision on daily organization‐, coworker‐, and customer‐directed deviance mainly occurs via general negative emotions (distress and nervousness). The moderation results show that instrumental climate has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between negative emotion and customer‐ and coworker‐directed deviant behavior. A caring climate has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between negative emotion and organization‐, supervisor‐, and coworker‐directed deviant behavior. The other moderation effects are not supported. These findings can be used to manage deviant workplace behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongqing Wang & Jiuling Xiao, 2021. "Examining the within‐person effects of abusive supervision on multifoci deviance: Ethical climate as a moderator," Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(4), pages 784-800, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:buseth:v:30:y:2021:i:4:p:784-800
    DOI: 10.1111/beer.12369
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Garima Mathur & Abhijeet Singh Chauhan, 2018. "Analyzing the relationship between depression, abusive supervision & organizational deviance: An SEM approach," Journal of Human Resource Management, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Management, vol. 21(1), pages 1-13.
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    5. Donald H. Kluemper & Kevin W. Mossholder & Dan Ispas & Mark N. Bing & Dragos Iliescu & Alexandra Ilie, 2019. "When Core Self-Evaluations Influence Employees’ Deviant Reactions to Abusive Supervision: The Moderating Role of Cognitive Ability," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(2), pages 435-453, October.
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