Great minds think alike: does leader-follower similarity in construal level of the work enhance leader-member exchange quality?

EMİRZA S., KATRİNLİ A.

LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL, vol.43, no.2, pp.181-195, 2022 (SSCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 43 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1108/lodj-04-2021-0169
  • Journal Name: LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, Educational research abstracts (ERA), INSPEC, Psycinfo
  • Page Numbers: pp.181-195
  • Keywords: Construal level, Construal level similarity, Cognitive similarity, Leader-member exchange, Leader-follower similarity, LMX, COMMUNICATION, CONSEQUENCES, FOREST, TREES, EYE
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate whether leader-follower similarity in construal level of the work, which indicates the degree of abstraction applied to mental representation of the work, influences the quality of interpersonal relationship at work. Design/methodology/approach First, an interview study was conducted to adapt the work-based construal-level (WBCL) scale. Then, a survey study was conducted for hypothesis testing. Data collected from 245 matched supervisor-subordinate dyads were analyzed using multi-level modeling. Findings Results revealed that dyadic similarity in work-domain construal level is positively related to leader-member exchange (LMX) quality. As a leader and a follower become similar to each other in terms of mental representation (i.e. construal level) of work, they experience higher relationship quality. Originality/value This study enhances the current knowledge of the role of cognition and cognitive similarity in leadership processes.