How Far Can Support Go? Supported Supervisors’ Performance and Subordinate Dedication
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-3-2016
Abstract
Purpose The present study builds on prior research involving organizational support theory and the trickle-down effects of supervisors perceived organizational support (POS). We examine benefits of supervisor POS for the supervisors themselves (enhanced affective commitment and in-role performance), and a behavioral mechanism through which supervisors’ POS may lead to subordinate dedication, a multifaceted conceptualization of performance. Design/Methodology/Approach Using three sources of data (from 139 human resource professionals, their 47 supervisors, and the 22 bosses of their supervisors) we assessed the hypothesized relationships using multilevel path modeling. Findings Supervisors’ POS related positively to supervisors’ affective commitment to their organization, resulting in better supervisor in-role performance two months later. Also, having better performing supervisors resulted in more dedication by employees in the form of extra-role performance, as rated by their supervisor 2 months later, and extra hours worked. Implications It appears providing organizational support to supervisors may result in beneficial outcomes for the supervisors and the organization in terms of supervisors enhanced emotional attachment to the company, and better performance in their job, with consequences for subordinate dedication in terms of extra hours worked and extra-role performance. Originality/Value These findings contribute to organizational support theory by showing initial evidence that supervisor in-role performance can serve as an explanatory mechanism through which supervisors’ POS trickles down to aid subordinates.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-016-9472-7
Recommended Citation
Woznyj, Haley M.; Dunn, Alexandra M.; Shanock, Linda Rhoades; Heggestad, Eric D.; Ordoñez, Zoa; and Uhrich, Benjamin, "How Far Can Support Go? Supported Supervisors’ Performance and Subordinate Dedication" (2016). Business & Economics Faculty Publications. 158.
https://digitalcommons.longwood.edu/business_facpubs/158
Original Citation
Woznyj, H. J., Dunn, A. M., Shanock, L. R., Heggestad, E. D., Ordonez, Z., Uhrich, B. (2017). How far can support go?: Supported supervisors' performance and subordinate dedication. Journal of Business and Psychology, 32(6), 627-639.
