Unraveling the nexus: the impact of abusive supervision on project performance via sequential mediation of job embeddedness and job frustration

Abstract

Purpose

Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study seeks to investigate how job embeddedness (JE) and job frustration (JF) as serial mediators linking abusive supervision (AS) to project performance (PP) in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 297 respondents working in six organizations involved in large-scale construction projects. The respondents were project managers, field engineers, consultants and civil engineers. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for data analysis and hypothesis testing.

Findings

The study findings indicate that JE and JF mediate AS’s impact on PP. The findings further reveal that JE and JF serially mediated the linkage between AS and PP.

Originality/value

This manuscript contributes to the relevant knowledge by investigating the overlooked psychological mechanisms of JE and JF between the linkage of AS to PP. The results of this study hold significant implications for both theoretical research and management practices.

Citation

Zia, M.Q., Ramish, M.S., Fasih, S.T., Naveed, M. and Wang, Z. (2025), "Unraveling the nexus: the impact of abusive supervision on project performance via sequential mediation of job embeddedness and job frustration", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 99-117. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-04-2024-0088