The interplay of abusive supervision and coworker incivility on the turnover intention of frontliners: a mediation effect of work stress

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, the present study aims to design and explore the influence of abusive supervision and coworker incivility on turnover intention among frontline employees (FLEs). Besides the mediating effects of work stress between abusive supervision and turnover intention, coworker incivility and turnover intention also be explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 311 FLEs are collected by a self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model.

Findings

The empirical results established that abusive supervision and coworker incivility significantly predicts work stress and work stress significantly predicts turnover intention. Abusive supervision significantly predicts a positive relationship with turnover intention, whereas coworker incivility with turnover intention is vis-à-vis. Besides, abusive supervision and coworker incivility significantly predict turnover intention via work stress. The study further illustrated the control variables, e.g. education, experience, and proactive personality of FLEs.

Research limitations/implications

The study finds abusive supervision and coworker incivility as stressors in the emerging economy for FLEs. However, coworker incivility on turnover intention cannot predict as expected because the roles of the supervisor and coworker are different in this context.

Practical implications

The continuous support of supervisors and coworkers can reduce the stress and consequences of reducing the intention of turnover of FLEs. The concerns can enhance their support by using respect and credit for work, maintaining privacy, providing proper feedback, being sensible to the performance, and entitlement to any achievement. They also suggest ensuring a work environment of privacy, fair treatment, importance to suggestions, and ascertaining punishment for any colleague's mistreatment.

Social implications

The frontliners always contribute a large pie of output for any organization. Supervisors and coworkers impact the day-to-day life of FLEs.

Originality/value

As a study on FLEs in the context of evolving economy, the investigation fulfills the inconsistencies of the previous result with the mediating role of work stress with a strong theoretical base.

Citation

Rahman, M.M. (2024), "The interplay of abusive supervision and coworker incivility on the turnover intention of frontliners: a mediation effect of work stress", Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, Vol. 16 No. 4, pp. 876-897. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJBA-11-2022-0500