The influence of karma duty orientation and attention regulation in the relationship between abusive supervision and subordinate performance

Abstract

We offer a karmic perspective of abusive supervision, wherein one’s present life experiences are assumed to be consequences of past actions. Drawing on self-regulatory theory, we argue that the relationship between abusive supervision and subordinate performance might vary curvilinearly (inverted U-shaped) because supervisors’ comments convey unmet expectations. Subordinates with higher karma duty orientation tend to be in tune with normative social expectations and expend effort to appease their bosses, thereby moderating this curvilinear relationship (Study 1). In extending the findings of Study 1, we collected additional data to investigate the mechanism that drives the curvilinear effects. Attention regulation helps subordinates focus on the task and meet the optimal performance expectations of an abusive supervisor (Study 2). This study advances our understanding of abusive supervision, considered a dark leadership style. Our findings have valuable practical implications on how organizations can manage abusive bosses and their subordinates.