Relationship between Machiavellianism and relational energy: based on trait activation theory
ISSN: 1746-5265
Article publication date: 24 September 2024
Issue publication date: 13 November 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study draws on the trait activation theory to investigate the relationship between Machiavellianism and relational energy, considering the mediating role of facades of conformity and the moderating role of leader–member exchange ambivalence.
Design/methodology/approach
We collected survey data from 275 employees in central China at three time points. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis and bootstrapping to test the hypotheses using Mplus7.0 and the PROCESS macro.
Findings
We found that facades of conformity mediated the relationship between Machiavellianism and relational energy. Moreover, the indirect effect of Machiavellianism on relational energy via facades of conformity was more significant when leader–member exchange ambivalence is higher.
Originality/value
This study provides empirical evidence of how and when Machiavellians acquire relational energy from leaders.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: This work is supported by the Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.71972185), the Project of the Social Science Foundation of Hunan Province (20YBA255), “High-End Think Tank” Project of Central South University (2020znzk04).
Citation
Sun, Y., Yan, A., Hu, X. and Zang, Z. (2024), "Relationship between Machiavellianism and relational energy: based on trait activation theory", Baltic Journal of Management, Vol. 19 No. 5, pp. 549-565. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-11-2023-0429
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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