Applying activation theory this study examined the possibility of a curvilinear relationship
between abusive supervision and employee creativity. Using survey responses of 203
subordinate–supervisor dyads in South Korea hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated a curvilinear (inverted U-shaped) relationship between a supervisor's abusive behaviors and an employee's creative performance. Specifically employees exhibited more creativity when abusive supervision was at a moderate level rather than at very low or very high levels. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.