Co-frequency resonance: the effect of leader-follower psychological capital congruence on employee innovative behaviour

Abstract

ABSTRACT While prior studies have indicated a positive correlation between followers’ psychological capital (PsyCap) and their innovative behaviour, there has been limited exploration of the congruence effect of leader and follower PsyCap in predicting innovative behaviour. Overlooking the congruence effect of leader-follower PsyCap may lead to an overstatement of the benefits of followers’ PsyCap in shaping innovative behaviour, resulting in an inaccurate understanding of its antecedents. To address this gap, this study draws on the person-environment fit theory, specifically the person-supervisor fit theory, to examine how congruence and incongruence of PsyCap between leaders and followers influence innovative behaviour. Polynomial regression analyses were conducted with data from 55 leaders and 264 followers in China. The results demonstrate that the higher alignment of PsyCap levels between leaders and followers, the better the leader-member exchange (LMX). Moreover, a high level of leader-follower PsyCap congruence is associated with higher LMX than a low level of congruence. In cases of incongruence, the high-low combination of leaders’ PsyCap and followers’ PsyCap is associated with lower LMX than a low-high combination. Finally, LMX mediates the relationship between leader-follower PsyCap congruence/incongruence and follower innovative behaviour. These findings emphasise the importance of congruence in leader and follower PsyCap for promoting innovative behaviour. Implications for theory and implementation are discussed.