A game of reciprocity? The effect of leader–follower moqi congruence on task performance
ISSN: 0048-3486
Article publication date: 13 June 2022
Issue publication date: 2 June 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Building on the person–supervisor fit theory, this paper examines how and when leader–follower moqi congruence positively impacts task performance.
Design/methodology/approach
With data collected from 174 leader–follower dyads in 41 project teams in Shanghai, China, the authors use polynomial regression and response surface plots to test the hypotheses on the effects of leader–follower moqi congruence.
Findings
Leader–follower moqi congruence positively affects followers' task performance, mediated by coordination. Task coordination was of higher quality when the congruence is achieved at a high level of moqi than at a low level. The effect of leader–follower moqi congruence on task performance (mediated by coordination) was weaker when leader-member exchange was low than when it was high.
Originality/value
This study identifies why leader–follower moqi can improve coordination and task performance. It extends person–supervisor fit theory and is an enhancement for moqi research and practice.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the editor (Prof. Chester Spell) and all reviewers for very helpful comments on this paper.
Ethics approval: This study was carried out following the recommendations of the ethics committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University with written informed consent from all subjects. We introduced the research purpose, goals, and plans to each employee and asked their permission to participate in this research.
Consent to publish: The authors affirm that human research participants provided informed consent for the publication of this study.
Availability of data and material: The datasets generated during and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Author contributions: Qi Zhang contributed to designing, analyzing data, writing, reviewing, editing, and approving the final manuscript. Xingshan Zheng contributed to collecting data and reviewing the final manuscript. Yao Yao contributed to writing, reviewing and editing the final manuscript. Francisca N. M. Dube contributed to reviewing and editing the final manuscript.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Citation
Zhang, Q., Zheng, X., Yao, Y. and Dube, F.N.M. (2023), "A game of reciprocity? The effect of leader–follower
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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