Full metadata record
DC FieldValueLanguage
dc.contributorGraduate School of Businessen_US
dc.creatorLeung, Chi-kong David-
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/2656-
dc.languageEnglishen_US
dc.publisherHong Kong Polytechnic University-
dc.rightsAll rights reserveden_US
dc.titleA study of abusive supervision : its impact on Hong Kong subordinates' attitudes and behaviorsen_US
dcterms.abstractAlthough increasing attention has been given to abusive supervision in recent years, there has as yet been relatively little research done in Hong Kong in this area, despite the fact that there is reason to believe that abusive supervision may be common here. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of abusive supervision on subordinates. Drawing on social exchange and equity theory, the study tests the relationship between abusive supervision and six outcome variables, with organizational justice treated as a mediator and co-worker social support as a moderator. The proposed model was tested on a sample of 241 Hong Kong Chinese subordinates working in several organizations. Findings suggested that distributive, procedural and interactional justice mediated the relationship between abusive supervision and five outcome variables (i.e., job satisfaction, loyalty to supervisor, affective commitment, intention to quit, and OCB-Compliance), but not the sixth outcome variable, resistance. It was found that coworker social support moderated the relationships between organizational justice and some of the outcome variables but in the opposite way to the hypothesized pattern. In particular, coworker social support appeared to: a) strengthen the negative relationship between all three dimensions of organizational justice and resistance, b) strengthen the positive relationship between interactional justice and loyalty to supervisor, and c) strengthen the negative relationship between interactional justice and intention to quit. It was also hypothesized that coworker social support would mitigate the negative impacts of abusive supervision. However, the significant effects were in the opposite direction, with higher coworker social support being associated with a stronger negative relationship between abusive supervision and job satisfaction, and loyalty to supervisor, and a stronger positive relationship between abusive supervision and resistance. Thus, contrary to the "buffering" hypothesis, higher levels of coworker social support appeared to intensify the effects of abusive supervision and organization justice on outcomes. An interpretation of these unexpected findings is provided, in terms of a reverse buffering effect. The implications of the findings for business practitioners and future research are discussed.en_US
dcterms.extentvii, 168 leaves : ill. ; 30 cmen_US
dcterms.isPartOfPolyU Electronic Thesesen_US
dcterms.issued2003en_US
dcterms.educationalLevelAll Doctorateen_US
dcterms.educationalLevelD.B.A.en_US
dcterms.LCSHHong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertationsen_US
dcterms.LCSHSupervision of employeesen_US
dcterms.LCSHOrganizational behavioren_US
dcterms.LCSHEmployees -- Attitudesen_US
dcterms.accessRightsrestricted accessen_US

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
b17376725.pdfFor All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only)6.74 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


Copyright Undertaking

As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:

  1. I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
  2. I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
  3. I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.

By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.

Show simple item record

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/2656