Exploring Influence Mechanism of Abusive Supervision on Subordinates’ Work Incivility: A Proposed Framework

Abstract

The prevalence of abusive supervision in the organisations and severe consequences associated with it has compelled researchers to explore the various dynamics of this phenomenon. This study exemplifies the conditions under which subordinates respond to abusive behaviours of their supervisors. Based on the existing literature and theoretical lenses, we postulate the detrimental effects of abusive supervision combined with the perception of injustice and politics in an organisation on deviance behaviours of the subordinates. The proposed framework suggests abusive supervision triggers work incivility among subordinates via the creation of an unjust and politically charged work environment. Besides, we find work incivility to be contingent on the political skill; subordinates with high political skill do not resort to work incivility as a response to abusive supervision of managers, rather, they rely on their political skills to survive in a toxic work environment. The proposed framework is primarily based on two theoretical foundations—social exchange theory and uncertainty management theory.