Supervisor Phubbing Phenomenon in Organizations: Determinants and Impacts

Supervisor phubbing occurs when supervisors use their mobile phone during an interaction with a subordinate. This study explores the effects of supervisor phubbing on employees’ organization-based self-esteem with a specific focus on subordinates’ experience of social exclusion. Drawing on data from a sample of 407 respondents, the study findings show no direct relationship between perceived supervisor phubbing and organization-based self-esteem. However, employees who perceive their supervisor as using a phone more frequently during interpersonal interactions with them reported higher feelings of social exclusion during these interactions, which, in turn, predicted lower organization-based self-esteem. The study also examined the facilitating effect of power distance between supervisors and employees, which was partially supported. The implications of these findings for organizational policy are discussed.