The impact of abusive supervision differentiation on team performance in team competitive climates
ISSN: 0048-3486
Article publication date: 6 June 2022
Issue publication date: 15 May 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the mechanism underlying the relationship between abusive supervision differentiation (ASD) and team performance. The moderating roles of inter-team and intra-team competitive climate are also examined.
Design/methodology/approach
This research collects data from 419 employees and 71 supervisors from hospitals and financial companies in China. Techniques include descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression are applied to analyze the data.
Findings
This research finds that (1) team relationship conflict mediated the relationship between ASD and team performance and (2) intra-team competitive climate strengthened the indirect relationship between ASD and team performance through team relationship conflict.
Practical implications
The results indicate that organizations should take measures to minimize the occurrence of abusive supervision. Team leaders should increase self-control and avoid abusing employees. Furthermore, organizations should establish an open and fair reward and punishment system to avoid cutthroat competition.
Originality/value
This study advances our knowledge of how ASD results in poor team effectiveness. This contributes to the literature by identifying team relationship conflict as a mediating mechanism linking the negative association of ASD with team performance. Additionally, competitive climate enriches the individual-focused team-level model of abusive supervision.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Zhijun Chen, Ruixue Zhang, and Shuisheng, Shi for their comments on the earlier version of this paper.
Citation
Wang, Y., Zhou, M., Zhu, H. and Wu, X. (2023), "The impact of abusive supervision differentiation on team performance in team competitive climates", Personnel Review, Vol. 52 No. 4, pp. 901-915. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-04-2021-0281
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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