Interplay among Abusive Supervision, Employee Engagement and Turnover Intentions: Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction

Abstract

Turnover intentions are referred to as a proximal antecedent, which shows the perceptions and understanding of employees in relation to alternatives for the possibility of jobs. Previous studies have focused on the determinants of turnover intentions. However, less is known about the mechanisms of turnover intentions in the higher education institutions (HEIs), especially in a developing state like Pakistan. Using data from a sample of 656 Ph.D. faculty members from private HEIs of Pakistan derived through multistage cluster sampling, this paper examines the empirical relationship between employee engagement, abusive supervision and turnover intentions of faculty members. This study advances the knowledge by revealing partial mediation between job satisfaction and the said study variables. Along with the addition to the literature on behavioural and social sciences, this study also has substantial implications for managers and leaders by suggesting improvements in the existing retention strategies to promote a viable culture within HEIs.