When subordinates feel supported by managers: investigating the relationships between support, trust, commitment and outcomes

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between managers and their subordinates. The framework of social exchange theory was used in order to examine whether subordinates demonstrate effort at work and remain in exchange of support by their manager. Using a sample of employees (N = 704) working for a provincial government in Canada, the results indicate that perceived supervisor support, trust in the supervisor reduce the likelihood that a public sector employee will leave their job or procrastinate at work, through commitment to their supervisor. The results are discussed in the light of public management research.Points for practitionersThe ability of managers to create a healthy work environment based on the capacity to recognize the efforts of their subordinates requires the professionalization of the role by providing managers with greater autonomy to manage the resources at their disposal.