Coping with abusive supervision: The alleviating effect of self-efficacy and the perception of authenticity on the negative consequences of abusive supervision

Authors: Chin-Tien Hsu; Hung-Yi Liao; Meng-Han Huang

Journal: Corporate Management Review. Jun. 2021, 41(1): 83-123

Keywords: Abusive supervision, self-efficacy, perception of authenticity, task performance, withdrawal behavior

Abstract:
Drawing upon the conservation of resources theory, this study examines the linkage between abusive supervision and subordinates’ job behavior (e.g., task performance and withdrawal behavior) from a stress perspective and focuses on the moderating role of two different individual resources: self-efficacy and the perception of authenticity. Survey data were collected from 238 subordinates and their immediate supervisors in military organizations in Taiwan. The results suggest that abusive supervision was negatively related to the subordinates’ task performance and positively related to their withdrawal behavior. Moreover, the negative consequences of abusive supervision were weaker among subordinates who had higher self-efficacy or perception of authenticity; specifically, the buffering effect of self-efficacy was stronger than the perception of authenticity. Finally, the theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.