Impact of connective leadership on employees’ goal commitment during M & A integration

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of connective leadership in the promotion of employee goal commitment, and to determine whether conflict can mediate the relationship between connective leadership and goal commitment during the integration of mergers and acquisitions (M & A).

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on survey data (n=255) from Chinese employees who work for 12 native M & A enterprises. Structural equation modeling and regression analysis are applied to analyze the data.

Findings

The results show that connective leadership is positively related to employee goal commitment (p < 0.01). In addition, relationship conflict partially mediates the relationship between connective leadership and employee goal commitment. Task conflict fully mediates the relationship between connective leadership and employee goal commitment.

Originality/value

This study introduces connective leadership into M & A and may contribute to the literature related to connective leadership and M & A integration as well as the literature focussed on goal commitment, especially antecedents of goal commitment.

Citation

Yan, S., Wu, S. and Zhang, G. (2016), "Impact of connective leadership on employees’ goal commitment during M & A integration", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 37 No. 6, pp. 789-801. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-10-2014-0206