Emotions as informative signals : a qualitative multiple case study exploring female employee perceptions of supervisor incivility within STEM professional roles.

Supervisor incivility is a pervasive issue within organizations. The lack of research on how female science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) employees experience supervisor incivility within male-dominant cultures creates a challenge in understanding how to support this underrepresented population. Consequences for employees experiencing supervisor incivility in the workplace may include changes to workplace behaviors. Supervisor incivility experienced by women in STEM professions leads to a negative affect response among women STEM professionals resulting in long-term behavioral consequences. This qualitative multiple case study was conducted with six participants. I utilized three data sources, including an open-response questionnaire, a semi-structured interview, and a follow-up questionnaire. The study was guided by the Emotions as Social Information (EASI) model (van Kleef, 2009). The focus of this study was to explore the shared phenomenon of female STEM employees’ perceptions of supervisor incivility-related emotional expression and changes to workplace behavior. Study findings revealed three themes. First, female STEM employees described witnessing or experiencing an adverse demeanor or negative emotional messaging from their supervisor which they interpreted as supervisor discontent or frustration. Second, female STEM employees described feeling a state of distress, apprehension, or vulnerability when they witnessed or experienced their supervisor’s uncivil emotional expression in the workplace. Lastly, female STEM employees described behavioral withdrawal, speaking up, or masking stemming from their supervisor’s negative emotional expression. There were three implications to study findings. First, this study provides a resource for human resource business partners to leverage when evaluating supervisor performance, feedback, and organizational policies against supervisor incivility. Second, this study could be utilized by learning and development decision makers upon building curriculum which targets emotional competencies. Lastly, this study could provide support for STEM professional associations for women in advocating for additional awareness and research funding.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Vazirian, Nicole, 1975-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Guerra, Jennifer J., 1970-

• Organizations.
• Supervisors.
• Female employees.
• Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
• Workplace incivility.
• Supervisor incivility.
• Emotions.
• Emotions as social information theory (EASI theory)

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/13968

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/13968