Abusive Supervision and Task Performance: The Mediating Role of LMX and The Moderating Role of Self-Enhancement Motive

Based on social exchange theory, this study aims to suggest an integrative explanation for the negative effect of abusive supervision by exploring its main effect, mechanism, and moderator. Specifically, this study investigates how abusive supervision links to task performance as mediated by leader-member exchange (LMX). Moreover, we examine the moderating role of employee self-enhancement motive in the relationship between abusive supervision, LMX, and task performance. Utilizing a sample of dyads comprising full-time employees and their immediate supervisors, we found that our results support all of the hypotheses. Consistent with our hypotheses, abused employees showed a low level of task performance and such negative relationship was mediated by LMX. Within a moderated mediation framework, our results also showed that self-enhancement motive moderates the negative relationship between abusive supervision and task performance via LMX. Specifically, when self-enhancement is high, the negative effect of abusive supervision on LMX and on task performance via LMX were attenuated. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.