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Effect of abusive supervision on subordinates’ discretionary behaviors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2019

Farah Samreen Open the ORCID record for Farah Samreen [Opens in a new window] ,
Muhammad Amir Rashid  and
Ghulam Hussain
Farah Samreen*
Affiliation:
COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Amir Rashid
Affiliation:
Head of Department, Management Sciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Ghulam Hussain
Affiliation:
Management Sciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan
*
*Corresponding author. Email: farahsamreen11@gmail.com
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Abstract

Although previous studies provide diverse perspectives on subordinate's deviant behavior as a reaction to abusive supervision (ABS), the influence of ABS on subordinates’ inter-personal relations received little attention. Grounded on social exchange theory, this study proposes that subordinates who are being abused by the same supervisor develop a bond among each other. That further provides strength to each of the abused group member to exhibit deviant behaviors against supervisor and non-abused peer group. Data were collected and analyzed through mediation analysis using AMOS. Using a sample of 920 employees from multi-sector organizations it was found that abused employees show citizenship behavior toward other abused peer-group members and counter-productive behavior toward supervisor and non-abused peer-group members. Moreover, citizenship behaviors created among the abused peer-group members partially mediate the relationship of ABS and counter-productive work behavior.

Keywords

leadershiporganizational citizenship behaviormobbingbullyingcounterproductive behaviorsAsia
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 28 , Issue 1 , January 2022 , pp. 149 - 164
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2019

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