Speaking Silence: Abusive Supervision, Subordinates’ Citizenship Behavior, and Whistleblowing Intention

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between abusive supervision and subordinates’ citizenship behavior, as well as subordinates’ whistleblowing intention as a reactionary outcome of supervisory abuse. Data was collected from 180 Nigerian healthcare assistants using a structured questionnaire. Additionally, 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The study found a negative relationship between abusive supervision and subordinates’ citizenship behavior. Also, the relationship between abusive supervision and subordinates’ whistleblowing intention was not significant. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in the light of contextual peculiarities. Recommendations advocate the urgency of cultural re-engineering to mitigate the vicious cycle of supervisory abuse and encourage the emergence of abusive supervisors from the toxic dark side into the light of inspirational leadership.