Effects of leader–member exchange and workload on presenteeism
Journal of Managerial Psychology
ISSN: 0268-3946
Article publication date: 13 November 2018
Issue publication date: 14 November 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to promote a wider understanding of the importance of distinguishing between presenteeism behavior and its motivation and between the avoidance and approach dimensions of motivation, and to rectify the neglect of presenteeism’s antecedents (in particular, situational ones). It develops a theoretical model that explains how situational antecedents affect presenteeism – conventionally defined as attending work while ill.
Design/methodology/approach
An ordinary least-squares regression-based path analysis is employed to analyze the findings of a sample of 277 employees in service organizations in southwestern China.
Findings
Findings demonstrate that the situational factor, leader–member exchange (LMX), is positively related to the approach dimension of presenteeism motivation and that of workload moderates the positive link between presenteeism motivation and behavior, such that employees who experience higher workload more frequently display presenteeism behavior.
Practical implications
Findings suggest that managers should be prudent when developing relationships with their subordinates and consider the ways in which they may most effectively encourage employees to support their organization.
Originality/value
This is the first study to consider LMX and workload as situational antecedents of presenteeism motivation and behavior.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (71672148) and supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (18LZUJBWZY084).
Citation
Wang, Y., Chen, C.-C., Lu, L., Eisenberger, R. and Fosh, P. (2018), "Effects of leader–member exchange and workload on presenteeism", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 33 No. 7/8, pp. 511-523. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-11-2017-0414
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited