Why Do Supervisors Abuse Certain Subordinates? Goal Orientation and Leader–Member Exchange as Antecedents

Abstract

In this study, we draw from moral exclusion perspective to theorize leader–member exchange (LMX) and subordinate goal orientation as antecedents of abusive supervision. In addition, we integrate LMX theory to propose LMX as a mediating mechanism through which goal orientation influences abusive supervision and consequently task performance. We tested our hypotheses through two cross-cultural multi-method studies. In a field study with South Korean employees (Study 1), we found that LMX and abusive supervision serially mediated the relationship between performance-prove goal orientation (PPGO) and task performance. In an online vignette study with American employees (Study 2), we found that LMX and learning goal orientation were negatively associated with abusive supervision. Furthermore, we found support that LMX mediated the relationship between all three dimensions of goal orientation (learning, performance-prove, and performance-avoid) and abusive supervision. Combing both studies, we found strong evidence that subordinates with high PPGO form positive relationships with their supervisors which elicit less supervisory abuse. Implications for management theory and practice are discussed.