An examination of the curvilinear relationship between leader–member exchange and intent to turnover

Based on the theoretical identification of three different motivational forces for voluntary turnover—affective, calculative, and alternative—we hypothesize that the relationship between supervisor–subordinate relationship quality (i.e., leader–member exchange) and turnover intentions is best represented as curvilinear as opposed to linear. We test this hypothesis in two organizational samples consisting of 402 employees from a water management district and 183 employees from a distribution services organization. We found support for the hypothesis in both samples. We offer directions for future research. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[1]  Terence R. Mitchell,et al.  An Alternative Approach: The Unfolding Model of Voluntary Employee Turnover , 1994 .

[2]  Gerald R. Ferris,et al.  Method and analysis in organizational research , 1984 .

[3]  R. Darmon.  Identifying Sources of Turnover Costs: A Segmental Approach , 1990 .

[4]  Jack M. Feldman,et al.  A note on the statistical correction of halo error. , 1986 .

[5]  Robert C. MacCallum,et al.  Distinguishing between moderator and quadratic effects in multiple regression. , 1995 .

[6]  Angelo J. Kinicki,et al.  Toward a Greater Understanding of How Dissatisfaction Drives Employee Turnover , 2001 .

[7]  P. Hom.  Employee Turnover , 1994 .

[8]  R. Kahn,et al.  Organizational Stress: Studies in Role Conflict and Ambiguity. , 1965 .

[9]  S. Parker,et al.  The demands—control model of job strain: A more specific test , 1996 .

[10]  Raymond T. Sparrowe,et al.  Process and Structure in Leader-Member Exchange , 1997 .

[11]  G. C. Homans,et al.  Social Behavior as Exchange , 1958, American Journal of Sociology.

[12]  Michael A. Campion,et al.  PROFILES IN QUITTING: INTEGRATING PROCESS AND CONTENT TURNOVER THEORY , 2004 .

[13]  B. Schneider.  THE PEOPLE MAKE THE PLACE , 1987 .

[14]  Robert C. Liden,et al.  A longitudinal study on the early development of leader-member exchanges. , 1993 .

[15]  John M. Maslyn,et al.  Multidimensionafity of Leader-Member Exchange: An Empirical Assessment through Scale Development , 1998 .

[16]  Scott B. MacKenzie,et al.  Common method biases in behavioral research: a critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. , 2003, The Journal of applied psychology.

[17]  S. Kerr.  On the folly of rewarding A, while hoping for B. , 1975 .

[18]  George B. Graen,et al.  Role of leadership in the employee withdrawal process. , 1982 .

[19]  M. Evans.  A Monte Carlo study of the effects of correlated method variance in moderated multiple regression analysis , 1985 .

[20]  George B. Graen,et al.  When managers decide not to decide autocratically: An investigation of leader–member exchange and decision influence. , 1986 .

[21]  R. Vecchio.  Predicting Employee Turnover from Leader-Member Exchange: A Failure to Replicate , 1985 .

[22]  Raymond T. Sparrowe,et al.  Leader-member exchange theory: The past and potential for the future. , 1997 .

[23]  Kevin Barksdale,et al.  Managerial Perceptions of Employee Commitment to the Organization , 1995 .

[24]  P. Hom,et al.  A Meta-Analysis of Antecedents and Correlates of Employee Turnover: Update, Moderator Tests, and Research Implications for the Next Millennium , 2000 .

[25]  C. Maertz,et al.  Eight Motivational Forces and Voluntary Turnover: A Theoretical Synthesis with Implications for Research , 2004 .

[26]  J M George,et al.  The experience of work and turnover intentions: interactive effects of value attainment, job satisfaction, and positive mood. , 1996, The Journal of applied psychology.

[27]  W. Mobley,et al.  Review and Conceptual Analysis of the Employee Turnover Process , 1979 .

[28]  Robert P. Steel,et al.  Turnover theory at the empirical interface: Problems of fit and function. , 2002 .

[29]  John W. Boudreau,et al.  JOB SEARCH BEHAVIOR OF EMPLOYED MANAGERS , 1994 .

[30]  C. Schriesheim,et al.  Leader–member exchange (LMX) research: A comprehensive review of theory, measurement, and data-analytic practices. , 1999 .

[31]  William J. Haga,et al.  A vertical dyad linkage approach to leadership within formal organizations: A longitudinal investigation of the role making process , 1975 .

[32]  Ann Buchholtz,et al.  Role of Chief Executive Officers in Takeover Resistance: Effects of CEO Incentives and Individual Characteristics , 1994 .

[33]  Gerald R. Ferris,et al.  Role of leadership in the employee withdrawal process: A constructive replication. , 1985 .

[34]  George B. Graen,et al.  A Field Experimental Test of the Moderating Effects of Growth Need Strength on Productivity , 1986 .

[35]  Ann M. Herd,et al.  Attributional conflict between managers and subordinates: An investigation of leader‐member exchange effects , 1993 .

[36]  R. Liden,et al.  Leader-Member Exchange Model of Leadership: A Critique and Further Development , 1986 .

[37]  D. Lykken.  Statistical significance in psychological research. , 1968, Psychological bulletin.

[38]  William S. Peters,et al.  Form, effect size and power in moderated regression analysis , 1987 .

[39]  Gerald R. Ferris,et al.  Commitment as an antidote to the tension and turnover consequences of organizational politics. , 1999 .

[40]  G. Graen,et al.  Toward a psychology of dyadic organizing. , 1987 .

[41]  G. Graen,et al.  Relationship-based approach to leadership: Development of leader-member exchange (LMX) theory of leadership over 25 years: Applying a multi-level multi-domain perspective , 1995 .

[42]  M. Uhl‐Bien,et al.  Leader-member exchange and its dimensions: effects of self-effort and other's effort on relationship quality. , 2001, The Journal of applied psychology.

[43]  J. P. Wanous,et al.  Overall job satisfaction: how good are single-item measures? , 1997, The Journal of applied psychology.

[44]  Robert P. Vecchio,et al.  The vertical dyad linkage model of leadership: Problems and prospects , 1984 .

[45]  P. Blau.  Exchange and Power in Social Life , 1964 .

[46]  Jack M. Feldman,et al.  Beyond Attribution Theory: Cognitive Processes in Performance Appraisal , 1981 .

[47]  Charlotte R. Gerstner,et al.  Meta-Analytic Review of Leader-Member Exchange Theory: Correlates and Construct Issues , 1997 .