Subordinates’ negative workplace gossip leads to supervisor abuse: based on the conservation of resources theory
ISSN: 1750-614X
Article publication date: 13 July 2021
Issue publication date: 25 March 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this paper aims to explore the potential influence of perceived subordinates’ negative workplace gossip on abusive supervision in China. Moreover, the COR theory helps in examining the mediating role of self-esteem threat and psychological distress and the moderating role of mindfulness on the effects of perceived subordinates’ negative workplace gossip on abusive supervision.
Design/methodology/approach
Data was collected from 305 supervisor-subordinate dyads in China using the time-lagged and multi-source methods and hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze the data.
Findings
Results reveal that perceived subordinates’ negative workplace gossip is positively related to abusive supervision and the relationship is moderated by the supervisor’s traits of mindfulness. In addition, perceived subordinates’ negative workplace gossip has an indirect effect on abusive supervision via self-esteem threat (cognition) and psychological distress (emotion).
Originality/value
The study helps to understand the influence of perceived subordinates’ negative workplace gossip on abusive supervision based on the COR theory. At the same time, it also enriches the understanding of the internal mechanism between perceived subordinates’ negative workplace gossip and abusive supervision.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Humanity and Social Science Foundation of the Ministry of Education of China (16YJAZH014). National Natural Science Foundation of China (72071049, 71902042, 72002046). General Colleges and Universities Innovation Foundation (Humanities and Social Sciences) Project of Guangdong Province (2018WTSCX022).
Citation
Ye, C., He, B. and Sun, X. (2022), "Subordinates’ negative workplace gossip leads to supervisor abuse: based on the conservation of resources theory", Chinese Management Studies, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 315-333. https://doi.org/10.1108/CMS-09-2020-0387
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited