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Everything is in hand: when and why electronic performance monitoring leads to supervisor undermining

Qi Zhang (School of Business, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China)
Kong Zhou (School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China)
Peipei Shu (Business School, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing, China) (School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China)
Wenxing Liu (School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China)
Xi Ouyang (Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China)
Ao Sun (School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China)

Journal of Managerial Psychology

ISSN: 0268-3946

Article publication date: 17 June 2024

208

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to address the knowledge gap regarding the influence of electronic performance monitoring (EPM) on supervisors' behavior. Building upon the sociomaterial perspective and the general model of disinhibition, the study explores the internal mechanisms and boundary conditions between supervisor EPM use and supervisor undermining.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was administered via the Sojump platform, inviting supervisors from diverse industries in China to participate in a three-wave study, each wave being approximately two weeks apart. The study gathered multi-wave data from 225 supervisors to assess the conceptual model.

Findings

The results showed that supervisor EPM use was positively related to sense of power, which in turn positively related to supervisor undermining. Furthermore, supervisors' individual identity orientation moderates the relationship between supervisor EPM use and sense of power, as well as the indirect relationship between supervisor EPM use and supervisor undermining through sense of power.

Practical implications

This study advocates for responsible EPM use to mitigate supervisor undermining (e.g. making subordinates feel incompetent) and minimize negative leadership behaviors.

Originality/value

The presented results signify a substantial progression in comprehending the interplay between supervisor EPM use and individual identity orientation, and their combined impact on the sense of power and subsequent supervisor undermining.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Qi Zhang and Kong Zhou made equal contributions to the manuscript. They were listed in solely alphabetical order.

Citation

Zhang, Q., Zhou, K., Shu, P., Liu, W., Ouyang, X. and Sun, A. (2024), "Everything is in hand: when and why electronic performance monitoring leads to supervisor undermining", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-11-2023-0686

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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