Leader-member exchange (LMX) differentiation and work outcomes: conceptual clarification and critical review

Robin Martin, Geoff Thomas, Alison Legood, Silvia dello Russo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

According to Leader-member Exchange (LMX) theory, leaders develop different quality relationships with followers in their team (termed LMX differentiation). An important theoretical question concerns how different LMX relationships within a team affect followers’ work outcomes. This paper provides a critical review of the concept of LMX differentiation. We propose that the LMX differentiation process leads to patterns of LMX relationships that can be captured by three properties (central tendency, variation, and relative position). We describe a taxonomy illustrating the different ways these properties have been conceptualized and measured. We identify two approaches to LMX differentiation as being a ‘perspective of the team’ (that are shared amongst team members) or a ‘perspective of the follower’ (subjective perceptions unique to each follower). These perspectives lead to different types of measures that predict different outcomes at the individual and team levels. We describe theoretical models employed to explain the effects of LMX differentiation (justice, social comparison and social identity theories). Generally, the lower the within-team variation in LMX or the more a team member’s LMX is higher than the mean team LMX, the better are the work outcomes, but many moderators condition these effects. Finally, we identify some key areas for future research.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)151-168
JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior
Volume39
Issue number2
Early online date27 Jun 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2018

Bibliographical note

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Martin R, Thomas G, Legood A, Dello Russo S. Leader–member exchange (LMX) differentiation and work outcomes: Conceptual clarification and critical review. J Organ Behav. 2017;1–17., which has been published in final form at DOI: 10.1002/job.2202. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving

Keywords

  • leadership
  • LMX
  • LMX differentiation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Leader-member exchange (LMX) differentiation and work outcomes: conceptual clarification and critical review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this