Effects of Leaders’ Power Construal on Leader-Member Exchange: The Moderating Role of Competitive Climate at Work

How leaders construe their power may greatly affect the quality of relationships they have with followers. Indeed, we propose that when leader is (perceived to be) construed as responsibility, this will positively extent which followers perceive high leader-follower (LMX), whereas opposite be true opportunity. Moreover, argue these are contingent on contextual influences, such effects particularly strong in environments characterized by competition, because exacerbate impact leaders’ behavior. The results a scenario experiment (Study 1), and two-week time-lagged study among organizational employees 2), showed manipulation tendency view responsibility followers’ perception sees 2) related follower LMX perceptions. both Studies 1 2 dyadic field asked report 3) effect stronger climate highly competitive. pertaining opportunity were less consistent, but suggest negative relationship perceived competitive 3). We conclude potential construal or deserve more research attention than previously awarded provide managerial ramifications our findings.