How learning-goal-oriented newcomers develop leader-member exchange (LMX): From agentic and communal behavior perspectives

Abstract

Adopting the dual perspective model of agency and communion and role-making theory of leader–member exchange (LMX) development, this study explored whether and how newcomers with a high learning goal orientation (LGO) develop high-quality social exchange relationships with their leaders. Through a three-wave field survey of 199 organizational newcomers who were graduates entering the workplace, we found a direct and significant relationship between the newcomers’ LGO and LMX. We also found that their agentic and communal behaviors—specifically, self-improvement voice and knowledge sharing, respectively—served as dual mediating mechanisms of this relationship. This study answers the call for more research on how employees’ LGO motivates them to engage in behaviors conducive to social exchange development with their leaders. It also contributes to the emerging research on followership and understanding LMX development beyond the leader–member dyad. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.