Exploring the effect of supervisor bottom-line mentality on subordinate work well-being: a self-determination theory perspective
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effect of supervisor bottom-line mentality (SBLM) on subordinate work well-being using self-determination theory. Furthermore, it examines the mediating role of subordinate harmonious work passion (HWP) and obsessive work passion (OWP), as well as the moderating role of subordinate family motivation on the indirect effect of SBLM on subordinate work well-being.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted two studies, an experiment and a field study, to test the hypotheses. In Study 1, the authors conducted an experimental study using a sample of 127 undergraduate students to examine how family motivation moderates the relationship between SBLM and subordinate work passion. Concurrently, in Study 2, the authors conducted a time-lagged field study involving 261 corporate employees in China to validate the findings derived from Study 1, as well as test the entire conceptual model.
Findings
The authors find in Study 1 that family motivation moderates the effects of SBLM on subordinate HWP and OWP. Nevertheless, Study 2 uncovers a negative association between SBLM and subordinate work well-being, with HWP and OWP mediating this relationship. Besides, family motivation moderates the mediating effect of HWP on the relationship between SBLM and subordinate work well-being.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this study is that the negative effect of SBLM impacts subordinate work well-being, thereby building an accurate and fine-grained knowledge base of the detrimental effects of bottom-line mentality (BLM). Additionally, this study expands the frontiers of knowledge in this area by investigating the mediating mechanisms and boundary conditions of SBLM on subordinate work well-being, effectively addressing a theoretical gap in BLM research.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on this manuscript. The authors also appreciate all the survey participants.
Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 72071049), the General Colleges and Universities Characteristic Innovation Foundation (Humanities and Social Sciences) of Guangdong Province (Grant No. 2018WTSCX022), and the Philosophy and Social Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (Grant No. GD23CLJ01).
Disclosure statement: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Data availability statement: Data will be made available on request.
Citation
Zhao, N., He, B., Sun, X. and Hu, W. (2023), "Exploring the effect of supervisor bottom-line mentality on subordinate work well-being: a self-determination theory perspective", Chinese Management Studies, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/CMS-09-2022-0334
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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