Relational Demography in Supervisor‐Subordinate Dyads: An Examination of Discrimination and Exclusionary Treatment

This study examines the link between supervisor-subordinate dissimilarity and associated perceptions of discrimination and exclusionary treatment. Using a sample of 1,059 employees from a large Southeastern insurance company, we examined age, race, and gender dissimilarity as predictors of perceived discrimination, supervisory support, and leader-member exchange. In addition, we examined supervisor liking/attraction and status of affiliation with supervisor as intervening variables. Race dissimilarity related positively to perceptions of discrimination and exclusionary treatment, mediated by both supervisor liking and status. Effects for age and gender dissimilarity were nonsignificant. We discuss the importance of these findings for understanding and managing dyadic relationships at work. Copyright © 2013 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Resume La presente etude etudie le lien entre la difference superviseur-subordonne et les perceptions de discrimination et de traitement d'exclusion qui en decoulent. A partir d'un echantillon de 1059 employes d'une grande compagnie d'assurance Southeastern, elle examine l'âge, la race et la difference sexuelle comme des predicteurs de la discrimination perc, du soutien du superviseur et de l'echange chef-membre. Elle analyse egalement l'estime/l'attraction du superviseur et le statut de l'affiliation avec le superviseur comme des variables mediatrices. Les resultats indiquent que la difference raciale est positivement reliee aux perceptions de discrimination et de traitement d'exclusion, mediees a la fois par l'estime du superviseur et le statut. A l'oppose, les effets de la difference d'âge et de sexe sont negligeables. L'etude s'acheve par une analyse de l'importance des resultats pour la comprehension et la gestion des relations dyadiques. Copyright © 2013 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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