Engulfed in the abyss: The emergence of abusive supervision as an escalating process of supervisor–subordinate interaction

Abstract

I present a dyadic process model to explain the emergence of abusive supervision as an escalating process of supervisor–subordinate interaction. Based on a social exchange framework, the model draws on organizational justice and previous abusive supervision research, as well as insights from behavioral ethics literature. I argue that the emergence of abusive supervision originates from initial subordinate perceptions of supervisor injustice. When reconciliation does not occur, subordinate perceptions of supervisor injustice and supervisor perceptions of inadequate subordinate (response) behavior may accumulate and thereby increasingly reinforce one another in an escalating spiral. It is proposed that perceptions of power asymmetry inhibit reconciliation attempts (e.g. remedial voice) systematically. Eventually, the tipping point of intentional supervisor hostility is reached and crossed. I offer research propositions and discuss implications for future abusive supervision research.