Impact of Abusive Supervision on Innovative Work Behavior in Turkey: Who Is More Affected?

Abstract

Researchers have focused on the dark side of managers in recent years, wherein studies discuss the effects of abusive supervision styles on employees and organizations. This research aims to elucidate the influence of abusive supervision on innovative work behaviors of new and former employees. The study focuses on two different employee characteristics. The first group includes the employees with a two-year or less tenure. The second group includes employees with a five-year or more tenure. A simple random sampling technique is used to determine the sample. The research sample includes 345 employees in a manufacturing firm in Istanbul, Turkey. According to regression analysis results, abusive supervision negatively affects innovative work behavior. In addition, abusive supervision affects the innovative work behaviors of new employees more than those of former employees. The findings are consistent with the social exchange theory, conservation of resources theory, and power approach. The research findings are important in demonstrating how destructive abusive supervision affects new employees. In conclusion, suggestions are presented for companies, managers, and researchers.