LAUSR

Abstract Aims The aims of the research are to investigate (1) the influence of managerial humour on nurses' coworker‐directed helping behaviour, (2) the mediating effect of nurses' feelings of energy between managerial humour and nurses' coworker‐directed helping behaviour and (3) the moderating effect of nurses' power distance orientation. Design This is a quantitative study. A three‐wave survey design was conducted to collect data from direct managers to nurse dyads. Methods The random sampling method was employed. Data were collected from the supervisor to subordinate dyad at three time points during the first half of 2021. A total of 235 paired data sets of nurses and their direct managers were collected from a large state‐owned Chinese hospital. We used hierarchical regression analyses via SPSS 22.0 software to examine the hypotheses. Results (1) Managerial humour can foster nurses' coworker‐directed helping behaviour via accumulating their feelings of energy. (2) Power distance orientation moderates the effect of managerial humour on feelings of energy as well as the indirect effect of managerial humour on nurses' coworker‐directed helping behaviour via feelings of energy, in a way that these effects are stronger when nurses have higher (vs. lower) level of power distance orientation. Conclusion Managerial humour can increase nurses' feelings of energy, which in turn, motivates them to help their coworkers. Nurses' power distance orientation is an important boundary condition that constrains managerial humour effectiveness. Impact Hospital managers could use more humour during their interactions with nurses because managerial humour can promote nurses' feelings of energy and coworker‐directed helping behaviour. Hospitals can take humour into account during managers' selection and training to improve management effectiveness. Managers in eastern countries should use more humour during their interactions with followers. Patient or public contribution Nurses and their direct managers from a large state‐owned Chinese hospital contributed to this study by completing the survey.