Reconceptualizing the Dimensionality of Abusive Supervision in the Asian Airline Industry

This study draws scholarly attention to non-sustained abusive supervisory behaviors in temporary work constellations. The research aims to enhance understanding of the dimensionality of abusive supervision through a qualitative investigation of the Asian aircrew workplace, which is characterized by short-term and ever-changing leader-member compositions. Semi-structured interviews were administered to 15 aircrews, including flight attendants and pilots. Deductive and inductive thematic analyses revealed six major themes of abusive supervision in the Asian aircrew workplace, namely, unfounded criticism, obstructionism, social manipulation, social isolation, nitpicking, and labeling/stereotyping. This study broadens the conceptual understanding of abusive supervision. The results have implications for investigating abusive supervision and managing and training an Asian aircrew workforce.