Impact of Supervisors’ Perceived Communication Style on Subordinate’s Psychological Capital and Cyberloafing

Abstract

Drawing from Conservation of Resources Theory (COR), the purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of supervisor’s perceived communication style (passive, aggressive, and assertive styles) on subordinates PsyCap and cyberloafing. The study also tests the mediating role of PsyCap in the relationship between perceived communication style (CS) of supervisor and cyberloafing. In total, 680 full-time managerial employees from seven diverse firms in India were studied through questionnaire survey. Standard instruments were used to assess the constructs. Results revealed that perceived CS of supervisors-assertive, aggressive and passive styles have an impact on cyberloafing. PsyCap partially mediated the relationship between supervisors perceived assertive and aggressive perceived CS and cyberloafing. Theoretical contributions and managerial implications of the study are discussed.