Job insecurity and counterproductive behavior of casino dealers – the mediating role of affective commitment and moderating role of supervisor support

Job insecurity, a prevalent and chronic organizational stressor, is an important factor for workplace counterproductive behavior, but has long been overlooked. Based on the characteristics of stressor and cognitive appraisal theory, we examined the relationships between job insecurity, affective commitment, and counterproductive behavior. Drawing upon the theory of planned action, the paper also examined how perceived supervisor support moderates the mediated relationship between job insecurity and counterproductive behavior through affective commitment. This study was conducted with 366 casino dealers and their supervisors in Macao. The data revealed that employees’ affective commitment mediated the relationship between job insecurity and counterproductive behavior. In addition, supervisor support moderated the path of this mediated relationship. Theoretical and practical implications to enhance affective commitment and supervisor support are discussed.