Abusive Supervision and Negative Employee outcomes: The Moderating Effects of Intimidation and Recognition

Abstract

Given the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study examines the moderating effects of intimidation and recognition on the relationship between abusive supervision and a subordinate's job tension, emotional exhaustion, and turnover intention. Consistent with past research, the study found a positive relationship between abusive supervision and negative employee outcomes. However, regardless of the strong theoretical and empirical literature support for the moderating effects of intimidation and recognition on the direct relationship of abusive supervision and negative employee outcomes, empirical data did not reveal any moderating effects of the moderating variables, neither as a single construct nor as a combined construct. For the study, data has been collected through a convenient sampling technique from 443 professional employees in the telecommunications sector in Pakistan. The study contributes to the literature by focusing on the largely ignored subordinate's impression management tactic (e.g. intimidation) and the top management's recognition of the subordinate's job, on the relationship between abusive supervision and negative employee outcomes. Theoretical contributions and practical implications are discussed in the conclusion.