Supervisor incivility, work alienation, extra-role performance and preparatory job search behaviors among airport frontline staff: the moderating role of work centrality

Purpose Despite the prevalence of supervisor incivility, limited research has explored the link between supervisor incivility and employees’ extra-role performance and job search behavior, particularly in the context of the aviation sector. This study aims to examine the relationships among supervisor incivility, employees’ extra-role performance and job search behavior, focusing on work alienation as a mediating factor and work centrality as a moderating boundary condition. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from frontline staff working at several airport terminals in Vietnam, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. Findings The findings revealed that work alienation partially mediated the effects of supervisor incivility on both extra-role performance and job search behavior. Interestingly, contrary to expectations, work centrality was found to weaken the impact of supervisor incivility and work alienation. These results provide insights into the complex dynamics between supervisor incivility and employees’ work outcomes. Originality/value This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the impact of supervisor incivility in the workplace and highlights the role of work alienation and work centrality in shaping employees’ behaviors as boundary conditions linking supervisor incivility to its outcomes. The findings offer valuable theoretical and practical implications for leadership and human resource management.