EFFECT OF ABUSIVE SUPERVISION ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE: MEDIATING ROLE OF EMPLOYEE RESILIENCE

Abstract

This study examines the complex associations between abusive supervision, employee resilience, and employee performance in organizational settings. While earlier research has primarily focused on the direct negative effects of abusive supervision, this particular study suggests and checks a mediation model wherein employee resilience shows a crucial role in the relationship between abusive supervision and employee performance. Using a cross-sectional design, Data was gathered from employees at various universities in Karachi. The measurement model demonstrated strong reliability and validity for all constructs. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypothesized relationships. Results reveal that abusive supervision has a significant negative effect on employee resilience (β = -0.355, p < 0.001), while employee resilience strongly and positively influences employee performance (β = 0.753, p < 0.001). Interestingly, a small but significant positive direct effect of abusive supervision on employee performance was observed (β = 0.147, p < 0.001). The study finds that employee resilience partially mediates the relationship between abusive supervision and employee performance, with a significant negative indirect effect (β = -0.268, p < 0.001). These findings contribute to the literature by highlighting the critical role of employee resilience in the workplace and revealing a more complex dynamic between abusive supervision and performance than previously understood. The study underscores the importance of fostering employee resilience and addressing abusive supervision in organizations. It also opens new avenues for research on the nuanced effects of leadership behaviors on employee outcomes. The study's limitations include its cross-sectional design and dependence on self-report measures. Future research directions include longitudinal studies, exploration of additional mediating mechanisms, and investigation of contextual factors that may influence these relationships.