A study on abusive supervision – turnover intention relationship: a mediated moderated model of voice behavior and workplace friendship

Purpose

This study based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory examines the role of employees’ voice behavior in the form of a mediator, linking abusive supervision (AS) and turnover intention. It also investigates the moderating role of workplace friendship in the mediated AS–turnover intention relationship through voice behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-wave data collection method was used to collect data from the 324 respondents employed in various companies with a geographical spread across northern India. The study used PROCESS macro to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

The findings of the study supported the meditated moderation hypothesis suggesting workplace friendship reduces the mediating effect of AS on employees’ intention to exit employment relationships.

Practical implications

The study yields important implications for organizations with respect to developing a disciplinary framework for AS. It focuses on the need for promoting and implementing psychological well-being-related interventions at the workplace for subordinates as well as supervisors, which in turn can help them apply healthy coping strategies in stressful situations and prevent them from indulging in counterproductive work behaviors.

Originality/value

The utilization of COR as a framework to explain the role of voice behavior and workplace friendships with respect to AS is thus far scant.