Empowering leadership: An examination of mediating mechanisms within a hierarchical structure

Robert P. Vecchio, Joseph E. Justin, Craig L. Pearce

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

238 Scopus citations

Abstract

Drawing from recent theory and research on empowerment and resistance, data on leader behaviors and follower responses were collected from superior-subordinate dyads in 179 public high schools. Structural equation modeling revealed that empowering leadership was associated with higher employee performance and satisfaction, as well as reduced dysfunctional resistance. Also, employee dysfunctional resistance partially mediated the relationship of empowering leadership with (a) employee performance and (b) employee satisfaction. These results are interpreted as supportive of a perspective that endorses the utility of empowering leadership at the dyadic level within a hierarchical power structure.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)530-542
Number of pages13
JournalLeadership Quarterly
Volume21
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2010

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Business and International Management
  • Applied Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

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