Does relationship conflict reduce novel idea communication through perceived leader openness? Power distance orientation as a moderator
International Journal of Conflict Management
ISSN: 1044-4068
Article publication date: 26 March 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate why followers have low perceptions of leader openness and thus feel reluctant to communicate novel ideas by examining leader–follower relationship conflict (i.e. interpersonal incompatibility) and a follower’s power distance orientation (i.e. an acceptance of uneven power distribution in organizations) as antecedents.
Design/methodology/approach
The research administrators conducted a three-wave work behavior survey in Study 1, a laboratory experiment in Study 2, and an online experiment in Study 3.
Findings
The results demonstrated that leader–follower relationship conflict reduced followers’ perceptions of leader openness. However, the negative impact of relationship conflict became non-significant when followers have high power distance orientations (i.e. an acceptance of uneven power distribution in organizations). The findings also showed an indirect interaction effect of leader–follower relationship conflict and followers’ power distance orientation on the followers’ communication of novel ideas through the followers’ perceptions of leader openness.
Originality/value
The research suggests that followers with higher power distance orientations are more likely to communicate novel ideas consistently because their relationship conflicts with their leaders do not negatively influence their perceptions of leader openness. Although researchers traditionally view cultures with a high level of power distance value as an obstacle to employee creativity, the present study reveals the benefits of an individual-level power distance orientation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author thank Dr. Corinne Bendersky’s constructive feedback on earlier drafts of the current manuscript. This research was supported by the Singapore Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund Tier 1 [Grant C242/MSS17S002]. There were no known competing interests that could influence this paper.
Citation
Tsai, M.-H. (2024), "Does relationship conflict reduce novel idea communication through perceived leader openness? Power distance orientation as a moderator", International Journal of Conflict Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-10-2023-0212
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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