Cao, X.; Hong, C.; Xu, Y.; Lee, C. Y. and Skitmore, M. (2026) Effects of abusive supervision on construction industry workers' work efficiency: A study based on EEG. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 152(6): 04026073, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Abusive supervision (AS) is an antiproductive behavior that significantly affects operational efficiency and employee performance, but its precise impact mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to quantify the differential impact of active versus passive AS on construction workers' work efficiency and verify the mediating role of cognitive states. Utilizing electroencephalogram (EEG) feature extraction integrated with cognitive science, we exposed 25 construction worker participants to randomized scenarios simulating active AS, passive AS, and control conditions. Behavioral performance data and cognitive state indicators were systematically collected and analyzed. AS significantly reduced work efficiency, with active AS having a greater impact than passive AS. AS was negatively correlated with attention and valence index, but positively correlated with mental fatigue. The adoption of EEG technology introduced a novel methodological approach to construction AS research, and this study empirically reveals the pathway through which AS impairs work efficiency via cognitive impairment. It provides a scientific foundation for developing targeted interventions to mitigate AS's adverse effects on construction worker productivity.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | abusive supervision; cognitive state; construction industry workers; electroencephalogram; productivity |
| Index terms: | fatigue, efficiency, construction industry, productivity, construction worker, science, supervision, impairment |
| Subjects: | management, industry analysis, control systems, practitioner, performance management, specialized education, health conditions and diseases |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Quality Management, Project Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Education, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here