Abstract: Based on face theory, this paper analyzes the relationship between abusive supervision and employees’ learning from errors, and tests the mediating role of competence face stress and the moderating role of organization-based self-esteem. The data analysis of 250 supervisor-subordinate dyads questionnaires show that abusive supervision has a positive impact on learning from errors.Competence face stress mediates the relationship between abusive supervision and learning from errors. Employees’ organization-based self-esteem moderates the relationship between abusive supervision and competence face stress and also moderates this mediation relationship.

Key words: abusive supervision, competence face stress, learning from errors, organization-based self-esteem