scholarly journals The role of person-job fit in the relationship between transformational leadership and job engagement

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 373-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong T.M. Bui ◽  
Yolanda Zeng ◽  
Malcolm Higgs

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ work engagement based on fit theory. The paper reports an investigation into the way in which employees’ perceptions of transformational leadership and person-job fit affect their work engagement. Design/methodology/approach To test the authors’ hypotheses, the authors performed structure equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation on Mplus with bootstrapping proposed by Hayes (2009) with data from 691 full-time employees in China. Findings The results indicate that transformational leadership has as significant influence on employees’ work engagement as person-job fit in China. Moreover, employees’ perception of person-job fit is found to partially mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ work engagement. Research limitations/implications There is a possible bias arising from the use of cross-sectional data. However, certain methods were implemented to minimize it, including survey design and data analysis. Practical implications The paper proposes a number of practical implications for policy makers, HR managers and transformational leaders relating to issues associated with improving levels of employee engagement. Originality/value The study contributes to developing leadership and engagement theory by examining a previously unexplored mediator – person-job fit – in a neglected cultural setting. This study promises to open new research avenues in this area.

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerri Anne Crowne

Purpose This study investigates the relationships among cultural intelligence (CQ), personality and transformational leadership in a student population. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of CQ on transformational leadership to see if a relationship exists beyond personality. Design/methodology/approach Hypotheses are presented and tested on a sample of 465 undergraduate and graduate students who attended a large northeastern US university. Hierarchical regression was used to conduct the analysis, and multiple models were generated to test the relationships posited. Findings The data showed that CQ affected transformational leadership; however, when examining the subcomponents of CQ, only behavioral CQ had an impact on transformational leadership beyond personality. Research limitations/implications The surveys were self-reported and cross-sectional, so causality could not be determined. Furthermore, the sample, while diverse, was composed of students. However, scholars will find value in this research because it expands the understanding of CQ. Practical implications The findings of this research indicate that behavioral CQ impacts transformational-leadership skills. Thus, business educators should consider how to build skills associated with behavioral CQ in students because of the importance of global transformational-leadership skills in the workplace. Originality/value This research will impact the literature streams of CQ and transformational leadership because it is the first to examine the relationship between the two while controlling for personality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (9) ◽  
pp. 1845-1858
Author(s):  
Chih-Chieh Wang ◽  
Hui-Hsien Hsieh ◽  
Yau-De Wang

PurposePrevious studies have found that abusive supervision undermines employees' work motivation and attitudes, namely work engagement and job satisfaction. However, less is known about the mechanisms by which abusive supervision negatively relates to employees' work engagement and job satisfaction. Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this study examines employee silence as a mediating mechanism linking abusive supervision to employees' work engagement and job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from a sample of 233 full-time employees of a large hotel service company in Taiwan. Structural equation modeling analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results showed that abusive supervision has a positive association with employee silence. Moreover, the results showed that employee silence mediates the negative associations of abusive supervision with employees' work engagement and job satisfaction.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that organizational managers should provide supervisors with leadership interventions to prevent the occurrence of abusive supervision. Furthermore, organizational managers should provide employees with opportunities to voice their concerns through the use of organizational communication and participation, which can reduce employee silence and subsequently foster employee engagement and satisfaction at work.Originality/valueThis study advances our understanding of how abusive supervision results in poor work motivation and attitudes among employees. This contributes to the literature by identifying employee silence as a suitable mediating mechanism linking the negative associations of abusive supervision with employees' work engagement and job satisfaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swati Agrawal

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between transformational leadership (TL) and employee engagement through the mediating role of the sub constructs of psychological capital. The article has used a single cross-sectional descriptive design. The sample consisted of 450 full-time employees working in the service sector in India. The data were mainly analyzed through structural and measurement model. The result of the study revealed that TL has an influence on employee engagement. The relationship between TL and employee engagement is mediated by sub-construct hope of psychological capital. Implication of this study is of high importance for organizations continuously working to increase the level of employee engagement to further enhance competitiveness. Prior research has examined the antecedents of employee work engagement, but little is known about the role of TL and a positive psychological state, in shaping employee work engagement. Imparting TL training and style can help to generate psychological capital which will positively drive employee engagement. Organizations with transformational leaders will be able to make employees feel valued and happy by igniting feeling of hope. The engaged workforce will result in the positive social outcome. This study is original as earlier studies have not explored the important role of hope and also optimism as dimensions of psychological capital. The article supports the critical role of leadership and psychological capital in creating highly engaged employees which have not been studied in an Indian context with specific focus to the service sector.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 469-484
Author(s):  
Rogers Mwesigwa ◽  
Ruth Nabwami ◽  
Joseph Mayengo ◽  
Gonzaga Basulira

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine whether contractual completeness is a cornerstone to stakeholder management in Public–Private Partnership (PPP) projects in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a cross-sectional and quantitative approach. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire survey from a sample of 103 PPP projects in Uganda. Partial Least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.FindingsThe study found that contractual completeness dimensions (contractual obligatoriness, contingency adaptability, issue inclusiveness, term specificity) are all significantly and positively associated with stakeholder management in PPP projects in Uganda.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the few studies on stakeholder management in PPP projects from a developing country’s perspective, thus contributing to scanty literature on how to manage stakeholders in PPP projects.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is limited to the relationship between contract completeness dimensions and stakeholder management in PPP projects in Uganda. Future studies should be conducted on other factors that affect stakeholder management in PPP projects in Uganda.Practical implicationsOur results imply that when all the relevant issues are included in the contract, contract terms are explicitly stipulated, all the unanticipated changes are described and when all the parties involved are restrained by a binding force of a contract, conflicts and opportunism reduces and stakeholders concerns are addressed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 346-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibeawuchi K. Enwereuzor ◽  
Leonard I. Ugwu ◽  
Onyinyechi A. Eze

The current study examines whether person–job fit moderates the relationship between transformational leadership and work engagement. Data were collected using cross-sectional design from 224 (15 male and 209 female) hospital nurses. Participants completed measures of transformational leadership, person–job fit, and work engagement. Moderated multiple regression results showed that transformational leadership had a significant positive predictive relationship with work engagement, and person–job fit had a significant positive predictive relationship with work engagement. Simple slope analysis showed that person–job fit moderated the relationship between transformational leadership and work engagement such that transformational leadership was more positively related to work engagement for nurses with high person–job fit compared with those with low person–job fit. Thus, all the hypotheses were confirmed. The findings were discussed, and suggestions for future research were offered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Tristen Balwant ◽  
Rehaana Mohammed ◽  
Riann Singh

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: investigate job resources as a moderator in the relationship between transformational leadership and employee engagement in service sector organizations, and investigate the relative importance of each dimension of job resources in relation to employee engagement. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative data were collected using a survey design for which 187 employees responded. These employees were sourced from retail stores across ten shopping malls located in Trinidad. Findings Findings from a hierarchical multiple regression supported the first two hypotheses and showed that transformational leadership was positively related to employee engagement and job resources moderated the relationship between transformational leadership and employee engagement. However, findings from structural equation modeling did not support the third hypothesis because supervisor support was negatively related to employee engagement. Practical implications Implications for service organizations include the provision of adequate job resources so that the effect of transformational leadership on employee engagement can be realized. Specifically, organizations must provide job control to employees, promote free access to information, create an innovative climate and develop a supportive work climate. Instead of focusing on the job resource of supervisor support, service organizations may need to build an environment that stimulates coworker support. Originality/value This study not only adds to the limited body of research on organizational leadership in emerging markets, but also contributes to the field of organizational behavior by showing an important condition (i.e. job resources) under which the relationship between transformational leadership and employee engagement varies and unraveling the dimensions of job resources in relation to employee engagement.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 2668-2687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jui-Chang Cheng ◽  
Chien-Yu Chen

Purpose Prosocial service behaviors play a major role in the hospitality industry. However, few studies have examined how job resourcefulness affects prosocial service behaviors. This paper aims to investigate the relationship between job resourcefulness and prosocial service behaviors as well as clarify the mediating effect of work engagement. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was developed to collect data from 282 frontline service employees in Taiwan’s hotel industry. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test the hypotheses of this research. Findings The results indicate that job resourcefulness is positively related to role-prescribed service behaviors, extra-role service behaviors and cooperation. Furthermore, work engagement mediates the relationship between job resourcefulness and prosocial service behaviors. Research limitations/implications The design of cross-sectional research restricts inference to the findings of cause–effect relationships. Also, the design of this study could not rule out the effect of common method variance, as all the data used in the study were acquired using the same questionnaire. Originality/value The current study contributes to the hospitality management research by investigating the link between job resourcefulness and prosocial service behaviors, and elaborating the partially mediating role of work engagement in this relationship.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (9) ◽  
pp. 1125-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Senthil Arasu Balasubramanian ◽  
Remya Lathabhavan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between glass ceiling beliefs, work engagement, and burnout. Design/methodology/approach A research model was developed based on the constructs from the Career Path Survey (CPS) and a literature review of research related to work engagement and burnout. Data from a cross-sectional study of 467 female employees from banks in India were collated and empirically tested, using structural equation modeling. Findings Denial and resilience were positively related to work engagement and negatively to burnout. Resignation and acceptance had a positive relationship with burnout and a negative relationship with work engagement. Research limitations/implications Further longitudinal studies focusing on different occupational sectors and career aspects can be considered for a more accurate and generalized insight into this concept. Practical implications Glass ceiling survey can be considered as an input for human resource functions for effectiveness of the organization. Originality/value This paper is the first to analyze the connection between the beliefs that women have about the glass ceiling and burnout and its components.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 433-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongzhan Li ◽  
Gloria Castaño ◽  
Yongxin Li

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between leadership styles, psychological capital and job engagement.Design/methodology/approachData were collected among knowledge workers working no less than 1 year in three high-tech enterprises in Henan Province, China. The investigation was conducted with the cooperation from the human resource departments of the selected enterprises from August to October 2014. To minimize potential common method bias, the authors adopted a cross-lagged design with a time gap of four months. The statistical methods included descriptive statistics, structural equation modeling (SEM) and bootstrap analysis.FindingsThe results showed: leadership styles significantly influenced employees’ psychological capital and work engagement; specifically, transformational and transactional leadership positively predicted employees’ psychological capital and work engagement; compared with transactional leadership, transformational leadership had stronger predictive power to employees’ psychological capital and work engagement; employees’ psychological capital positively predicted their work engagement; and employees’ psychological capital acts as partial mediator between leadership styles and employees’ work engagement.Originality/valueAlthough a body of studies have shown that leadership is an important factor influencing employees’ work attitude and outcomes, it is only in recent years that the effect mechanism of leadership becomes a hot subject in organizational behavior and management fields. As for leadership styles, in general, most research concerned transformational leadership, rather than transactional leadership and only a little of research compared the effects of transformational leadership and transactional leadership on employees’ work outcomes. In terms of outcomes of leadership, as noted earlier, the previous research mainly explored job performance, job satisfaction, innovation behavior, job burnout and so on. Regarding the effect of leadership styles on employees’ work engagement, in spite of more and more supportive evidence of the link between transformational leadership and work engagement, few studies examined the relationship between transactional leadership and work engagement. What’s more, to the best of our knowledge, till now, no empirical research has explored the internal mechanism of this effect from the perspective of psychological capital. Therefore, the present study is a breakthrough for the direct model of leadership styles and employees’ engagement, theoretically bridges the research gap and contributes to the existing literature by presenting a new picture of leadership behavior effect mechanism.


2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 953-972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Hansen ◽  
Zinta Byrne ◽  
Christa Kiersch

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine organizational identification as an underlying mechanism for how perceptions of interpersonal leadership are related to employee engagement, and its relationship with commitment and job tension. Design/methodology/approach – A sample of 451 full-time employees at an international firm completed a web-based survey. Findings – Organizational identification mediated the relationship between perceived interpersonal leadership and engagement, which mediated the relationship between perceived interpersonal leadership and commitment. Engagement mediated the relationship between identification and job tension. Research limitations/implications – Limitations include cross-sectional data. Strengths include a large field sample. Implication is that leaders who encourage employees’ identification with the organization may also encourage their engagement. Practical implications – Interpersonal leadership characteristics can be developed, and are positively related to employees’ identification, commitment, and engagement, which are negatively related to job tension. Social implications – Interpersonal leaders are positively associated with employees’ engagement; high engagement has been related to positive employee health and well-being. A healthy workforce translates into a healthy society. Originality/value – This study is one of the few to examine the underlying mechanisms through which leadership relates to engagement.


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