Coworker Injustices and Their Delegated Authority: Developing an Indirect Actor Model of Supervisor Justice

Abstract

Supervisors directly influence employees’ perceptions of supervisor justice and subsequent supervisor-supportive behaviors by displaying just treatment through ongoing work interactions. Using a two-study design, we build on this target similarity approach by examining the potential for an indirect actor to be held accountable when a direct offender is acting on the indirect actor's behalf. Integrating fairness and role theory perspectives, Study 1 shows that the relationship between coworker injustice and supervisor-supportive citizenship behavior is mediated by supervisor blame and supervisor justice. Further, these linkages are strengthened when the offending coworker is delegated additional authority by the supervisor. Delegation more clearly connects the supervisor to the coworker's unjust behavior because the coworker is seen as an intermediary for the supervisor (i.e., perceived intermediary delegation-PID). In a constructive replication, Study 2's results support the basic mediation model from Study 1 but also show that the PID effect is influenced by victims’ relative standing with the supervisor compared with their offending coworkers (i.e., relative status). PID's strengthening effect as a result is most pronounced when victims of coworker injustice hold lower relative statuses than offenders. We conclude with implications of our findings and areas for future research.