The Moderating Influence of the Strength of Social Identification with Religion on the Relationship between Similarity and Dissimilarity in Religious Affiliations between Superiors and Subordinates and the Quality of LMX (Leader-Member Exchange) Relationships in the Indian Context

Abstract

This study tested the moderating influence of the strength of social identification with religion on the relationship between similarity and dissimilarity in religious affiliations and the quality of leader-member exchange (LMX) relationships. One thousand five hundred and seventeen employed people, residing in India, responded to a survey from a subordinate perspective. The results of the survey provided support for the moderating influence of the strength of social identification with religion and further showed that at low levels of identification, the quality of the relationship was better in different-religion dyads than in samereligion ones. Hence the main implication is that studies have to consider moderators in examining the influence of demographic similarities/dissimilarities on LMX relationships as they can tease out the conditions under which the relationships hold.