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The trickle-down of work engagement from leader to follower: The roles of optimism and self-efficacy

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  • Lu, Xinxin
  • Xie, Baoguo
  • Guo, Yongxing

Abstract

The present research seeks to explore how and when leader work engagement trickles down to the follower. Relying on social learning theory, we hypothesize that optimism mediates the relationship between leader work engagement and follower work engagement. Follower self-efficacy is supposed to strengthen the effect of follower optimism on work engagement. In a sample of 707 employees from 72 teams in Chinese enterprises, we tested the hypotheses using Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM). The results suggest that leader work engagement is positively related to follower work engagement and that follower optimism significantly mediates the relationship. Moreover, follower self-efficacy strengthens the positive relationship between follower optimism and work engagement as well as the indirect effect of leader work engagement on follower work engagement via follower optimism. Theoretical and practical implications are further discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu, Xinxin & Xie, Baoguo & Guo, Yongxing, 2018. "The trickle-down of work engagement from leader to follower: The roles of optimism and self-efficacy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 186-195.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:84:y:2018:i:c:p:186-195
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2017.11.014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Ma, Chao & Lin, Xiaoshuang & Chen, (George) Zhen Xiong & Wei, Wu, 2020. "Linking perceived overqualification with task performance and proactivity? An examination from self-concept-based perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 199-209.
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    5. Maha El halouat & Shimin Liu, 2021. "Abusive Supervision and Employees OCB: An Important Role of Psychological Contract Fulfilment and Trust in Leadership," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 5(4), pages 30-45.
    6. Luigi Cantone & Pierpaolo Testa & Teresa Marrone, 2022. "Issues in defining and placing consumer brand engagement," Italian Journal of Marketing, Springer, vol. 2022(2), pages 135-172, June.
    7. Chen, Hao & Richard, Orlando C. & Dorian Boncoeur, O. & Ford, David L., 2020. "Work engagement, emotional exhaustion, and counterproductive work behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 30-41.
    8. Zhao, Hongdan & Zhao, Siyong & Chen, Yuanhua & Yu, Xiaoyu, 2023. "Bystanders’ reactions to leader knowledge hiding: The roles of moral disengagement and moral identity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    9. Salas-Vallina, Andrés & Simone, Cristina & Fernández-Guerrero, Rafael, 2020. "The human side of leadership: Inspirational leadership effects on follower characteristics and happiness at work (HAW)," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 162-171.
    10. Yunlong Zhang & Asif Mehmood Rana & Hasnain Bashir & Ifraz Adeel & Shahid Khokhar & Jingyuan Ding, 2023. "Can University Students’ Psychological Resources Stimulate the Relationship between Entrepreneurial Optimism and Green Entrepreneurial Intentions? Moderating Role of Sustainability Orientation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-14, April.
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