The relationship between leader-member exchange, work engagement and organizational citizenship behaviour

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to provide a holistic model for leader–member exchange (LMX), work engagement (WE), organizational job embeddedness (OJE) and organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) of employees in information technology (IT) industry taking conservation of resources theory and social exchange theory as the foundation of the study. This current study examined the effect of LMX and WE on IT employees’ citizenship behaviour mediated by OJE.Design/methodology/approachThe sample has been taken from 430 employees of IT organizations located in India. The data were analysed through confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Besides, Preacher and Hayes’ (2004) mediation analysis technique has been used to analyse the mediating role of OJE.FindingsThe study findings reveal significant association between the key study variables. Organizational job embeddedness (OJE partially mediated the relationship between organizational factors such as LMX, WE and OCB.Practical implicationsThis study provides useful insights to better understand the antecedents of OJE and how it influences employees’ citizenship behaviour. Exploring the relationship among key study variables may have significant implications for organizations. The researchers and human resource practitioners may use the proposed investigation framework to formulate human resource practices and interventions to develop the job embeddedness, which can further promote citizenship behaviour among employees.Originality/valueFirst, the present study has focussed on the IT sector organizations based in India that have not been explored much regarding the study variables, as previous studies focussed more on Western countries. Second, the current study outspreads the preceding research by examining the OJE as a mediator between LMX, WE and OCB.