Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

3-2024

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate why followers have low perceptions of leader openness and thus feel reluctant to communicate novel ideas by examining leader–follower relationship conflict (i.e. interpersonal incompatibility) and a follower’s power distance orientation (i.e. an acceptance of uneven power distribution in organizations) as antecedents. Design/methodology/approach: The research administrators conducted a three-wave work behavior survey in Study 1, a laboratory experiment in Study 2, and an online experiment in Study 3. Findings: The results demonstrated that leader–follower relationship conflict reduced followers’ perceptions of leader openness. However, the negative impact of relationship conflict became non-significant when followers have high power distance orientations (i.e. an acceptance of uneven power distribution in organizations). The findings also showed an indirect interaction effect of leader–follower relationship conflict and followers’ power distance orientation on the followers’ communication of novel ideas through the followers’ perceptions of leader openness. Originality/value: The research suggests that followers with higher power distance orientations are more likely to communicate novel ideas consistently because their relationship conflicts with their leaders do not negatively influence their perceptions of leader openness. Although researchers traditionally view cultures with a high level of power distance value as an obstacle to employee creativity, the present study reveals the benefits of an individual-level power distance orientation.

Keywords

Leader-follower relationship conflict, Novel idea communication, Perceived leader openness, Power distance orientation

Discipline

Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Leadership Studies | Social Psychology

Research Areas

Psychology

Publication

International Journal of Conflict Management

First Page

1

Last Page

20

ISSN

1044-4068

Identifier

10.1108/IJCMA-10-2023-0212

Publisher

Emerald

Embargo Period

4-7-2024

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-10-2023-0212

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