LMX‐citizenship behavior relationship: justice as a mediator

Abstract

Purpose

It has been proposed that issues of justice and equity should be incorporated in the dyadic study of leadership (LMX) for predicting subordinate outcomes, as both the theories are based on social exchange. This research had two objectives: to assess the impact of two dimensions of LMX – contribution and affect – on citizenship behavior and to test the mediating impact of the three types of justice – distributive, procedural and interactional – on the LMX‐citizenship relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study reports responses of 306 professionals from 30 software organizations operating in different parts of India. Data were collected on a structured questionnaire containing standard scales of LMX, citizenship behavior, distributive, procedural and interactional justice. After establishing the psychometric properties of the scales, hypotheses were tested through statistical analysis of the data. Proposed mediation hypotheses were tested using Baron and Kenny's recommendations.

Findings

Results indicate that contribution dimension of LMX is more likely to predict citizenship behavior than the affect dimension of LMX. Further, procedural and interactional justices fully mediate the relationship of perceived contribution with citizenship behavior. However, distributive justice does not mediate this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of common method bias and cross sectional data are discussed in light of implications for future research. The results have implications for LMX enhancement interventions. In general enhancing work related interaction through guiding coaching or delegation can result in higher‐level employee outcomes.

Originality/value

Identifies how the two theories work in tandem to predict citizenship behavior.

Citation

Bhal, K.T. (2006), "LMX‐citizenship behavior relationship: justice as a mediator", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 27 No. 2, pp. 106-117. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437730610646615