Communication Correlates of Perceived Machiavellianism of Supervisors: Communication Orientations and Outcomes

Abstract

This paper reports the development of the Perceived Supervisor Machiavellian Measure (PSMM) for use in the organizational communication context. Data were drawn from full-time employees who were part-time graduate students in a corporate and organizational communication program. Employees' perceptions of supervisor Machiavellianism were negatively related to employees' perceptions of supervisor credibility (competence, caring, and trustworthiness), employees' attitudes toward the supervisor, employee motivation, and employee job satisfaction. Supervisors' perceived communication behaviors (nonverbal immediacy, responsiveness, and assertiveness) accounted for a significant amount of variance in perceived supervisor Machiavellianism. The results support a general model of supervisor behavior and provide a foundation for future research in organizational communication.

Keywords:

• Supervisor Influence
• Machiavellianism
• Superior-Subordinate Interpersonal Relationships
• Supervisor Characteristics
• Supervisor-Subordinate Communication
• Supervisor Effectiveness

Notes

All correlations significant at the .05 level (at least) unless specified.

∗ =not statistically significant.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jason J. Teven

Jason J. Teven (EdD, West Virginia University, 1998) is an associate professor of Speech Communication at California State University, Fullerton, CA 92834-6868, USA.

James C. McCroskey

James C. McCroskey (DEd, Pennsylvania State University, 1966) professors in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505-6293.

Virginia P. Richmond

Virginia P. Richmond (PhD, University of Nebraska, 1977) professors in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505-6293.