The Hidden Costs of Supervisor Ostracism: Pathways to Self-Handicapping Behavior

Abstract This research investigates the pathways and temporal effects of supervisor ostracism in promoting self-handicapping behavior. Using the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, we hypothesize that supervisor ostracism increases self-handicapping behavior through the fear of negative evaluation (FNE). Additionally, we propose that power distance amplifies the positive effect of supervisor ostracism on FNE. Drawing on time-separated, multisource, and multilevel sampling data from service sector employees in China, our findings confirm that FNE mediates the relationship between supervisor ostracism and self-handicapping behavior. Furthermore, power distance acts as a boundary condition, directly influencing the relationship between supervisor ostracism and FNE and strengthening the mediated relationship between supervisor ostracism and self-handicapping behavior. We discuss the implications of these results for research and practice in the service industry.