Leader‐follower interactions: relations with OCB and sales productivity

Abstract

PurposeBased on substitutes for leadership theory, the aim of this study is to examine followers' learning goal orientation as a moderator of relationships among transformational leadership, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and sales productivity.Design/methodology/approachData came from 61 food and beverage attendants of a casino, and were analyzed using regression analyses.FindingsTransformational leadership was positively related to both OCB and sales productivity. Learning goal orientation moderated the relationship between transformational leadership and OCB, such that transformational leadership was more strongly related to OCB among followers with a low learning goal orientation than among followers with a high learning goal orientation.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of the study include the small sample size and cross‐sectional research design.Practical implicationsOrganizations could train supervisors to practice a transformational leadership style and to take followers' learning goal orientation into account.Originality/valueThe findings of this study suggest that, with regard to OCB, a high learning goal orientation of followers may act as a “substitute” for low levels of leaders' transformational leadership.