Supervisors’ Toxicity As Predictor Of Subordinates’ Counter-Productive Work Behavior In Nigerian Public Hospitals

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the association of Supervisors’ Toxicity and Subordinates’ Counter-productive Work-behaviour in the Nigerian Public Hospitals. Counter-productive Work -behaviour (criterion variable) is further operationalized using five measures – abuse, production deviation, sabotage, theft, and withdrawal. The cross-sectional survey design is adopted and data is generated using the structured questionnaire. 197 respondents comprising doctors, nursing staff, lab technicians and other administrative staff selected from an accessible population of 402 staff provided responses to the questions. A total of five hypotheses are proposed and tested using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Results indicate significant relationships in all hypothetical instances, thereby implying an association between Supervisors’ Toxicity and Subordinates’ Counter-productive Work- behavior. The study therefore concludes that Subordinates are quick to reciprocate Supervisors’ Toxicity through Counter-productive Work- behavior of transferring aggression to either peers or other identifiable assets of the organization. The study further recommends a more emotionally oriented approach to the management of superior-subordinate relationships with emphasis on the training and retraining of supervisors regarding emotional intelligence as well as conflict and human relations issues.