Examining the within‐person effects of abusive supervision on multifoci deviance: Ethical climate as a moderator

Abstract

AbstractWe examine the dynamic mechanism by which daily abusive supervision affects daily multifoci deviance through daily negative emotion and investigate the boundary conditions of this mechanism. Using a daily diary sample from 73 employees completed with quantitative responses for five consecutive weekdays, we find that daily abusive supervision has a significant positive effect on daily organization‐, supervisor‐, coworker‐, and customer‐directed deviance and that daily negative emotion mediates these relationships. A supplementary study reveals that the indirect effect of daily abusive supervision on daily supervisor‐directed deviance mainly occurs via anger and that the indirect effect of daily abusive supervision on daily organization‐, coworker‐, and customer‐directed deviance mainly occurs via general negative emotions (distress and nervousness). The moderation results show that instrumental climate has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between negative emotion and customer‐ and coworker‐directed deviant behavior. A caring climate has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between negative emotion and organization‐, supervisor‐, and coworker‐directed deviant behavior. The other moderation effects are not supported. These findings can be used to manage deviant workplace behaviors.