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Employee Humor Can Shield Them from Abusive Supervision

Author

Listed:
  • Mingpeng Huang

    (University of International Business and Economics)

  • Dong Ju

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Kai Chi Yam

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Shengming Liu

    (Fudan University)

  • Xin Qin

    (Sun Yat-Sen University)

  • Guangdi Tian

    (University of International Business and Economics)

Abstract

Drawing upon conservation of resources theory, we develop and test a theoretical model that specifies how and when employee humor toward leaders affects leader abusive supervision. We propose that employee humor is negatively associated with leader abusive supervision via leader relational energy. Furthermore, the negative indirect relationship between employee humor and leader abusive supervision via leader relational energy is stronger for female leaders than for male leaders. An experiment and a multi-wave, multi-source field study provide substantial support for our hypotheses. Our findings contribute to the abusive supervision literature by identifying employee humor as a safe and effective bottom-up approach to prevent leader abusive supervision.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingpeng Huang & Dong Ju & Kai Chi Yam & Shengming Liu & Xin Qin & Guangdi Tian, 2023. "Employee Humor Can Shield Them from Abusive Supervision," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 186(2), pages 407-424, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:186:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-022-05208-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-022-05208-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Guohong Helen Han & P. D. Harms & Yuntao Bai, 2017. "Nightmare Bosses: The Impact of Abusive Supervision on Employees’ Sleep, Emotions, and Creativity," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 145(1), pages 21-31, September.
    2. repec:cup:judgdm:v:5:y:2010:i:5:p:411-419 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Christine Henle & Michael Gross, 2014. "What Have I Done to Deserve This? Effects of Employee Personality and Emotion on Abusive Supervision," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 122(3), pages 461-474, July.
    4. Haesang Park & Jenny M. Hoobler & Junfeng Wu & Robert C. Liden & Jia Hu & Morgan S. Wilson, 2019. "Abusive Supervision and Employee Deviance: A Multifoci Justice Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 158(4), pages 1113-1131, September.
    5. Yucheng Zhang & Timothy C. Bednall, 2016. "Antecedents of Abusive Supervision: a Meta-analytic Review," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 139(3), pages 455-471, December.
    6. Jeroen Camps & Jeroen Stouten & Martin Euwema & David Cremer, 2020. "Abusive Supervision as a Response to Follower Hostility: A Moderated Mediation Model," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 164(3), pages 495-514, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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