The dynamic interaction between high-commitment HRM and servant leadership: A social exchange perspective
ISSN: 2040-8269
Article publication date: 26 June 2019
Issue publication date: 8 October 2019
Abstract
Purpose
Based on social exchange theory and the substitutes for leadership theory, this paper aims to investigate whether an organization’s high-commitment HRM strategy can substitute for the effect of servant leadership in promoting employees’ affective commitment, psychological empowerment and intent to remain with the organization.
Design/methodology/approach
This study’s hypotheses were tested with moderation and mediation analyses conducted on a sample of 172 Chinese employees.
Findings
The results show significant negative interaction effects between high-commitment HRM systems and servant leadership, such that high levels of one will reduce the positive effect of the other on affective commitment and psychological empowerment. Further, the effects of high-commitment HRM systems and servant leadership on turnover intentions are mediated through affective commitment and psychological empowerment. Finally, support was found for a mediated moderation model where the negative interaction effect between high-commitment HRM systems and servant leadership on turnover intentions is mediated through affective commitment.
Practical implications
The results of this study can help practitioners identify alternative means to influence employees’ positive attitudes and work motivation when implementing high-commitment HRM systems is not feasible for the organization.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the leadership literature by providing evidence supporting the substitutes for leadership theory and describing the specific conditions under which this theory is valid, as well as contributing to the HRM literature by examining the dynamic interaction of HRM and leadership.
Keywords
Citation
McCune Stein, A. and Ai Min, Y. (2019), "The dynamic interaction between high-commitment HRM and servant leadership: A social exchange perspective", Management Research Review, Vol. 42 No. 10, pp. 1169-1186. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-02-2018-0083
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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