Linking abusive supervision to employees’ OCBs and turnover intentions : the role of a psychological contract breach and perceived organisational support

This conceptual paper proposes pathways through which abusive supervisor behaviour influences employee outcomes. Specifically, we propose that abusive supervision will directly influence employee citizenship behaviours and turnover intentions. Further, abusive behaviours will indirectly influence employee outcomes through employees’ perceptions of organisational support and psychological contract breach. Based on the literature review, the paper proposes a conceptual framework that is useful in explaining the interplay between abusive supervision, psychological contract breach, perceived organisational support, citizenship behaviours and turnover intentions. Finally, the paper outlines steps to advance organisational theory with regard to the effects of abusive supervision on employee outcomes.