The impact of leader-member exchange and dyadic member exchange relation on group commitment and communication behaviors

Abstract

A huge body of research has been accumulated in the leader-member exchange (LMX) field. However, it is unknown how LMX affects membersa?? interactions with each other, and subsequently how different working relationships impact membersa?? attitudes and behaviors. In contrast, these two issues have long been emphasized by theoretical origins of LMX. To bridge these gaps, the study focuses on the impact of LMX1 (i.e., the quality of exchanges between a leader and the focal member) and LMX2 (i.e., that between the same leader and the focal membera??s coworker) on dyadic member exchange (DMX), and the relative importance of LMX1, LMX2 and DMX in affecting membersa?? group commitment and actual communication behaviors. A two by two factorial laboratory-based experiment was employed. Results confirmed that LMXs would influence the development of DMX. Also, both LMXs and DMX impacted membersa?? attitudes and behaviors. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.