Pathways from supervisor incivility to workplace deviance: the mediating role of emotional exhaustion and supervisor-targeted aggression

Purpose Drawing on the frustration-aggression-displacement (FAD) hypothesis, this study investigates the link between supervisor incivility and workplace deviant behavior through the mediating pathways of supervisor-targeted aggression and emotional exhaustion. Additionally, it examines the moderating role of psychopathy in the relationships between supervisor incivility and supervisor-targeted aggression and supervisor incivility and emotional exhaustion. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from hotel employees through a three-wave study, and variance-based partial least square structural equation modeling (VB-SEM) was employed to analyze the hypothesized associations. Findings Results indicate that supervisor-targeted aggression and emotional exhaustion mediate the relationships between supervisor incivility and workplace deviant behavior. However, psychopathy did not show any significant moderating effect. Practical implications The findings provide valuable insights for managers to develop effective strategies for reducing organizational incivility and deviant behaviors. Originality/value This study identifies two mediating mechanisms linking supervisor incivility to workplace deviant behavior and adds to the limited understanding of how supervisor incivility can lead to negative employee behaviors.