When Caring Leaders Are Constrained: The Impact of LMX Differentiation on Leader Empathic Concern in Predicting Discretionary Work Behaviors

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey J. Haynie ◽  
John Baur ◽  
John N. Harris ◽  
Stanley G. Harris ◽  
K. Nathan Moates
Keyword(s):  
Empathic Concern ◽  
Leader Member Exchange ◽  
Work Behaviors ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Lmx Theory ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
Empathic Leadership ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Quality Relationships

Empathic leaders often create high-quality relationships with their subordinates, and these relationships are suggested to increase several beneficial outcomes for employees and organizations alike. Yet leader–member exchange (LMX) theory suggests that leaders do not have such high-quality relationships with each of their subordinates, leading to varying levels of LMX differentiation. We examine how leaders’ empathic concern, a trait-based assessment of leader empathy, may incite additional discretionary efforts in the form of assisting coworkers with interpersonal facilitation and taking on additional tasks with job dedication. However, we suggest that when these empathic leaders are constrained, it reduces their ability to form high-quality relationships with all of their subordinates, resulting in high LMX differentiation. This LMX differentiation is expected to influence empathic leaders’ ability to motivate their followers to engage in altruistic behaviors. In a field study of workplace groups, we find that leader empathic concern positively affects interpersonal facilitation and job dedication only when LMX differentiation is low, providing support for our contention that the effects of empathic leadership may be situationally constrained. Findings and future directions are discussed.

scholarly journals Leader-member exchange theory in higher and distance education

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Leo Power
Keyword(s):  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Organizational Citizenship ◽  
Leader Member Exchange ◽  
Leadership Theories ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Organizational Goals ◽  
Specific Advice ◽  
Lmx Theory ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
Quality Relationships

<p>Unlike many other prominent leadership theories, leader-member exchange (LMX) theory does not focus on the specific characteristics of an effective organizational leader. Rather, LMX focuses on the nature and quality of the relationships between a leader and his or her individual subordinates. The ideal is for a leader to develop as many high-quality relationships as possible. This will lead to increases in subordinates’ sense of job satisfaction and organizational citizenship, as well as to increased productivity and attainment of organizational goals. LMX has been criticized for its potential to alienate some subordinates, failing to account for the effects of group dynamics and social identity, and failing to provide specific advice on how leaders can develop high-quality relationships. However, LMX has been heralded as an important leadership theory in higher and distance educational contexts because of its emphasis on promoting autonomy and citizenship, as well as its ability to complement and mediate transformational leadership styles. Recent authors have attempted to provide specific advice for leaders who want to learn how to build and capitalize on the high-quality relationships described by LMX theory.</p>

scholarly journals Conceptualizing the impact of Leader-member Exchange in non-profit and religious organisations: The case of waqf institutions in Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Sharfizie Mohd Sharip ◽  
Marinah Awang ◽  
Ramlee Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Past Research ◽  
Positive Outcome ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Leader Member Exchange ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Lmx Theory ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
The Impact

While a great discussion on past research done to investigate the impact on Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) in producing the positive outcome of the management, relatively little research has been done conducted to examine the link between LMX to the effectiveness of the management particularly in a religious based non-profit organization in a Malaysia setting. Meanwhile, a discussion on LMX of the non-profit organisation is not explicitly religious based as the discussion on Malaysia institution, and specifically among non-profit organisation religious based is lacking. Thus, the objective of this study to address the issue of communication among leader-member via LMX theory and to propose potential effect to the effectiveness of the management particularly in a religious based non-profit organisation, specifically in Waqf institutions in the Malaysian setting.

scholarly journals Leader–Follower Congruence in Work Engagement and Leader–Member Exchange: The Moderating Role of Conscientiousness of Followers

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanhua Ye ◽  
Ziwen Wang ◽  
Xiaowei Lu
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Leader Member Exchange ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Lmx Theory ◽  
Person Environment Fit ◽  
Work Tasks ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
The Relationship

Extant research has investigated the relationship between work engagement and various outcomes, such as job performance and organizational commitment, neglecting the effect of work engagement on social relationships at work. Drawing upon person-environment fit theory and LMX theory, the present study aims to examine the effect of (in)congruence between leader and follower work engagement on leader–member exchange (LMX) and the moderating effect of conscientiousness. About 273 employees and 72 leaders participated in this study and completed the measurements of work engagement, conscientiousness, and LMX at two time points. Using cross-level polynomial regressions, we found that, compared with incongruent work engagement, employees perceived high levels of LMX quality when their work engagement was aligned with that of their leaders. Regarding the congruence, the employees reported higher levels of LMX when congruence in work engagement was at higher rather than lower levels. Regarding the incongruence, when the employees engaged less in their work tasks than their leaders, they were more likely to experience lower LMX. Moreover, the negative relationship between incongruence in leader and follower work engagement and LMX was mitigated when followers were more conscientious. All our hypotheses were supported. Both theoretical and practical implications for work engagement as well as future directions are discussed.

Leader mindfulness and employee creativity: The importance of leader–member exchange

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (9) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Huwa Tan ◽  
Zhou Wang ◽  
Jiaxin Huang
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Leader Member Exchange ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Employee Creativity ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
The Impact

The main objective of this study was to clarify the mechanisms through which leader mindfulness enhances employee creativity, and we proposed that leader–member exchange (LMX) would act as a mediator of this relationship. To test our hypotheses we conducted a survey with 329 subordinates and 51 supervisors employed at three large manufacturing companies in China. The results of structural equation modeling show that the association of leader mindfulness with employee creativity was positive, and that LMX partially mediated this link. This study provides useful insights in explaining the impact that leader mindfulness has on employee creativity by focusing on LMX as a mediator. Our findings indicate that organizations should take leader mindfulness into account, and that managerial interventions should be implemented to establish high-quality LMX relationship.

scholarly journals Meta-analysis of outcomes of leader–member exchange in hospitality and tourism: what does the past say about the future?

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 2155-2173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Chang ◽  
Anyu Liu ◽  
Xuhui Wang ◽  
Bowen Yi
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Leader Member Exchange ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industry Sector ◽  
Lmx Theory ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Leader–member exchange (LMX) theory is particularly relevant to the hospitality and tourism industry due to its labor-intensive and service-focused nature. However, the hospitality literature regarding the impact of LMX on its various outcomes have inconsistent results. A holistic review of LMX studies is nonexistent in the current literature. Thus, the purpose of this study is to use a meta approach to quantitatively summarize and examine the relationship between LMX and its outcomes in the hospitality and tourism literature. Design/methodology/approach A total of 89 individual observations from 36 studies conducted between 1997 and 2018 were identified. A Bayesian random effect model was introduced into the hospitality and tourism literature for the first time to implement the meta-analysis. Findings The results suggest significant differences in the impact of LMX on various groups of outcomes. LMX has the strongest impact on firms’ practice-related outcomes, such as organizational justice and employee empowerment. Few moderators are identified on the impact of LMX, such as LMX measure, culture, industry sector and statistical method. Practical implications Findings yielded several recommendations for both hospitality researchers and organizations in developing LMX related studies, as well as managing employees. Originality/value This study is the first Bayesian meta-analysis in the hospitality and tourism literature; it complements LMX theory by linking it to cognitive appraisal theory. Specific characteristics of LMX in the hospitality and tourism industry, such as the measurement of LMX and the effect of industry sector, are also identified.

scholarly journals Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Ambivalence and Task Performance: The Cross-Domain Buffering Role of Social Support

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 1927-1957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Lee ◽  
Geoff Thomas ◽  
Robin Martin ◽  
Yves Guillaume
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Leader Member Exchange ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Absolute Level ◽  
Lmx Theory ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
And Task

Leader-member exchange (LMX) theory proposes that leaders develop different quality relationships with those they manage and this is predictive of work performance. While LMX quality has been viewed as univalent (ranging from low to high quality), this paper proposes that it can also be bivalent in nature (i.e., coexisting positive and negative thoughts towards the relationship), which we refer to as LMX ambivalence. A survey measure of LMX ambivalence is developed, and through three validation and two main studies, it is shown to have construct, discriminant, and incremental predictive validity beyond that of LMX quality. Hypotheses concerning LMX ambivalence and task performance are tested in two main studies and show that (1) LMX ambivalence is negatively related to performance regardless of LMX quality, (2) high levels of perceived support from the organization (Study 1) or coworkers (Study 2) nullify the negative association between LMX ambivalence and performance, and (3) high LMX ambivalence leads to more negative affect and in turn lower task performance, but only when coworker support is low (Study 2). These results show the importance of viewing LMX quality not only in terms of its absolute level (low vs. high quality) but also as a bivalent construct where both positive and negative cognitions can coexist. They also demonstrate the value of social support in buffering the negative effects of LMX ambivalence. Furthermore, our findings extend a central tenet of LMX theory by implying that LMX quality varies not only within groups (i.e., LMX differentiation) but also within leader-follower dyads.

The impact of relative leader-member exchange on employees' work behaviors as mediated by psychological contract fulfillment

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hu Li ◽  
Zhiyu Feng ◽  
Chunlin Liu ◽  
Dejun Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Social Exchange ◽  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Leader Member Exchange ◽  
Work Behaviors ◽  
Bank Branches ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Social ◽  
Psychological Contract Fulfillment ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
The Impact

Relative leader-member exchange (RLMX) is a reflection of the social comparison process, and employees go through a process of social exchange when they display specific behaviors and attitudes in their workplace role, with psychological contract (PC) fulfillment playing a mediating role between these 2 social processes. We conducted a survey to analyze paired leader-staff samples in 39 bank branches in order to examine the influence of RLMX on employees' work behaviors and the mechanism that operates between these 2 factors. The results showed that RLMX affected employee task performance and innovative behavior, and that PC fulfillment played a full mediating role in this relationship.

scholarly journals Leader–member exchange fosters work engagement: The mediating role of job crafting

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjam Radstaak ◽  
Ayla Hennes
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Job Crafting ◽  
Job Resources ◽  
Leader Member Exchange ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
Quality Relationships

Orientation: The right balance between job demands and job resources are essential for employees to bring energy and enthusiasm to work. Employees who experience high-quality relationships with their supervisors may actively craft their job demands and job resources and feel more engaged.Research purpose: The current study examined the associations between leader–member exchange (LMX), job crafting and work engagement. Motivation: This study attempts to gain more insight in the associations between LMX, job crafting and work engagement. It was hypothesised that high-quality relationships with supervisors fosters work engagement because it stimulates employees to craft their jobs by increasing social and structural job resources and challenging job demands and by decreasing hindering job demands.Research approach, design and methodology: Participants (N = 402) working for a leading mail and parcels company in the Netherlands completed questionnaires measuring LMX, work engagement and job crafting. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the hypotheses.Main findings: Increasing social job resources (β = 0.01, SE = 0.00, p < 0.001) and increasing challenging job demands (β = 0.08, SE = 0.04, p < 0.05) were significant mediators in the association between LMX and work engagement. Increasing structural job resources (β = 0.00, SE = 0.00, p = 0.92) and decreasing hindering job demands (β = -0.00, SE 0.00, p = 0.09) were not significant mediators.Practical and managerial implications: Supervisors who are capable of building high-quality relationships with their employees based on trust, respect and loyalty will foster a positive, fulfilling work-related state of mind among employees because they are more willing to proactively craft a challenging and resourceful work environment.Contribution or value-add: The findings of this study showed the importance of high-quality relationships with supervisors and were unique in examining the association between LMX and job crafting.

Compensatory Coping Through the Extension of Working Hours

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maie Stein ◽  
Sylvie Vincent-Höper ◽  
Nicole Deci ◽  
Sabine Gregersen ◽  
Albert Nienhaus
Keyword(s):  
Job Demands ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Leader Member Exchange ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Data Analyses ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Advance Knowledge

Abstract. To advance knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between leadership and employees’ well-being, this study examines leaders’ effects on their employees’ compensatory coping efforts. Using an extension of the job demands–resources model, we propose that high-quality leader–member exchange (LMX) allows employees to cope with high job demands without increasing their effort expenditure through the extension of working hours. Data analyses ( N = 356) revealed that LMX buffers the effect of quantitative demands on the extension of working hours such that the indirect effect of quantitative demands on emotional exhaustion is only significant at low and average levels of LMX. This study indicates that integrating leadership with employees’ coping efforts into a unifying model contributes to understanding how leadership is related to employees’ well-being. The notion that leaders can affect their employees’ use of compensatory coping efforts that detract from well-being offers promising approaches to the promotion of workplace health.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document