The moderating role of electronic dependence on the self-other agreement, when influencing interpersonal citizenship behavior

Abstract

In this study, we investigate through a quantitative approach, whether electronic dependence had a significant influence on the relationship between self-rated and other-rated leadership. The impact on the relationship was further seen in relation to the follower outcome, known as interpersonal citizenship behavior (Settoon & Mossholder, 2002). The leadership-style for this study was represented by two facets of Transformational Leadership, which were Individual Consideration and Intellectual Stimulation (Yukl, 2013; Schieltz, 2018; Pasovska & Miceski, 2018). The relationship between self-rated and other-rated leadership was explained by the Self-Other Agreement (Atwater & Yammarino, 1992). Lastly, Electronic Dependence was represented by written IT-communication tools (Gibson & Gibbs, 2006; Dulebohn & Hoch, 2017). Even though there were numerous studies on TFL, SOA, and ICB, the current research was considered lacking important knowledge on the influential role of electronic dependence. The findings showed that there was no direct influence from self-rated TFL on follower ICB. Further, the relationship between otherrated TFL and ICB gained support, which showed a relation between how followers perceive their leader and how they perform at work. The assumptions of self-rated TFL being mediated by other-rated TFL, influencing ICB, were not supported at all. Lastly, the moderating role of ED was supported, concerning IC-related behavior, when impacting person-oriented ICB.