1. J Appl Psychol. 2014 Sep;99(5):847-66. doi: 10.1037/a0037233. Epub 2014 Jul 7.
How do leader-member exchange quality and differentiation affect performance in
teams? An integrated multilevel dual process model.
Li AN, Liao H.
Author information:
Department of Management and Organization, University of Maryland.
Integrating leader-member exchange (LMX) research with role engagement theory
(Kahn, 1990) and role system theory (Katz & Kahn, 1978), we propose a multilevel,
dual process model to understand the mechanisms through which LMX quality at the
individual level and LMX differentiation at the team level simultaneously affect
individual and team performance. With regard to LMX differentiation, we introduce
a new configural approach focusing on the pattern of LMX differentiation to
complement the traditional approach focusing on the degree of LMX
differentiation. Results based on multiphase, multisource data from 375 employees
of 82 teams revealed that, at the individual level, LMX quality positively
contributed to customer-rated employee performance through enhancing employee
role engagement. At the team level, LMX differentiation exerted negative
influence on teams' financial performance through disrupting team coordination.
In particular, teams with the bimodal form of LMX configuration (i.e., teams that
split into 2 LMX-based subgroups with comparable size) suffered most in team
performance because they experienced greatest difficulty in coordinating members'
activities. Furthermore, LMX differentiation strengthened the relationship
between LMX quality and role engagement, and team coordination strengthened the
relationship between role engagement and employee performance. Theoretical and
practical implications of the findings are discussed.
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PMID: 25000359 [PubMed - in process]