Abusive Supervision and Its Consequences for Employees in the Hong Kong Hotel Industry

This research examines abusive supervision in the Hong Kong hotel industry. Abusive supervision is defined as sustained hostile verbal and non-verbal behaviours and actions perceived by subordinates, excluding physical contact (Tepper 2000, p178). By focusing on employee experiences, this study addresses a significant gap in leadership research, which often highlights positive leadership qualities while overlooking the negative impacts of destructive leadership behaviours. Although some argue that abusive leadership can paradoxically enhance performance, a comprehensive understanding of leadership requires examining its darker aspects. This study aims to investigate abusive leadership in Hong Kong’s hospitality industry due to its unique cultural setting and hierarchy structures. Multi-layers of management, seniority of service and high turnovers are common in this business and contributors to abusive supervision in the workplace, providing a pertinent context for this investigation. This study employs a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design to investigate the prevalence of abusive supervision in Hong Kong hotels against the independent variables of job satisfaction and trust. Quantitative data was gathered from 120 hotel employees using established scales and a binary trust measure. Followed by qualitative interviews with 20 respondents to gain deeper insights and explore factors influencing employee tolerance of abusive behaviours and potential positive outcomes. Thematic analysis and a barriers model were used to recognise the harmful effects of abusive supervision. The research also highlights the unexpected potential for these experiences to foster positive individual growth, resilience, resourcefulness, and organisational policies in certain circumstances among hotel employees.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

dba

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Wang, Chi Nam Frances

• HF Masnach

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:3699