Effects of supervisor's developmental feedback on employee loyalty: A moderated mediation model

Abstract

We utilized social exchange theory to examine the effects that supervisor developmental feedback has on employee loyalty toward the supervisor. The 337 participants for our study were recruited from a large manufacturing enterprise in Hunan, China. Using hierarchical linear regression analysis, we found that supervisor developmental feedback was positively related to both trust in, and employee loyalty toward, the supervisor. Trust was not only positively associated with employee loyalty toward the supervisor but also partially mediated the relationship between supervisor developmental feedback and employee loyalty toward the supervisor. Further, interactional justice moderated the positive relationship between supervisor developmental feedback and employee trust of the supervisor, such that the strength of this relationship was enhanced as interactional justice increased. Managerial implications and directions for further research are discussed.