How and when family-supportive supervisor behaviors foster work engagement and gratitude: A moderated mediation model

In light of social exchange theory and the gratitude norm of Confucianism, we explored the relationships between family-supportive supervisor behaviors (FSSBs), employee gratitude, and work engagement. We also investigated power distance orientation as a potential contingent factor affecting these relationships. We tested our hypotheses using a two-wave survey conducted with 325 employees of 15 companies in China. When we controlled for supervisor–employee work support, we found that employee gratitude partially mediated the positive association between FSSBs and work engagement. Further, power distance orientation negatively moderated the direct effect of FSSBs on employee gratitude and the mediating effect of gratitude of FSSBs on work engagement. Theoretical and practical management implications are discussed.