A Meta-Analysis of Antecedents and Consequences of Leader-Member Exchange

TLDR

Leader‑member exchange (LMX) has been studied for nearly four decades, yet no comprehensive empirical review of its antecedents and consequences existed. The authors aimed to extend LMX meta‑analyses by testing mediation models linking antecedents, consequences, and contextual moderators. They conducted a meta‑analysis of 247 studies (290 samples) covering 21 antecedents and 16 consequences of LMX quality and evaluated mediation pathways. Results showed that leader variables explained the most variance in LMX quality, with power distance and individualism moderating some relationships, and that LMX frequently mediated the links between antecedents and outcomes.

Abstract

Although leader-member exchange (LMX) was identified in the literature nearly 40 years ago, a comprehensive empirical examination of its antecedents and consequences has not been conducted. The authors’ examination included 247 studies, containing 290 samples, and 21 antecedents and 16 consequences of LMX quality. Results indicated that while leader behaviors and perceptions, follower characteristics, interpersonal relationship characteristics, and contextual variables represent significant groups of LMX antecedents, leader variables explained the most variance in LMX quality. Moderator analyses revealed that the particular LMX scale, country of participants, and work setting studied did not produce meaningful influences on the relationships in the meta-analysis. However, power distance and individualism did moderate some of these relationships. To provide continuity with the LMX meta-analyses and conceptual reviews that have focused on LMX consequences, the authors tested a number of mediation models. The results demonstrated that LMX frequently plays a mediating role in the relationships where mediation could be tested.