Supervisory Styles and Their Impact on Affective Commitment: A Gender-Based Comparison of Non-Managerial Employees in the Apparel Industry in Western Province, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The study explores the impact of supervisory styles on affective commitment among non-managerial employees in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. This research addresses a critical gap by focusing on the Sri Lankan apparel industry, which struggles with affective commitment level of non-managerial employees. Additionally, this study has especially focused on whether male and female non-managerial employees have perceived supervisory style at work differently. Data were collected from 257 non-managerial employees across three knitted export organizations in Sri Lanka using validated scales for affective commitment, and supervisory styles while getting abusive supervision, task-oriented supervision and supportive supervision as dimensions of supervisory styles. Random sampling technique was adopted for the study. The methodological approach involved quantitative analysis to test the hypothesized relationships, utilizing principles from social exchange theory, particularly emphasizing exchange ideology. Statistical techniques, including regression analysis, and independent sample T-test were used to determine the impact of supervisory style on affective commitment. The findings highlight the critical need for organizations to address supervisory behaviour and foster positive social exchange to enhance employee commitment. In addition, gender alone is not sufficient to explain perception of supervisory styles. Therefore, the study also did not include other variables that may influence the difference in the perception of supervisory style.