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The role of person-job fit in the relationship between transformational leadership and job engagement

Bui, Hong T.M.; Zeng, Yolanda; Higgs, Malcolm

Authors

Hong T.M. Bui

Yolanda Zeng

Malcolm Higgs



Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ work engagement based on fit theory. The paper reports an investigation into the way in which employees’ perceptions of transformational leadership and person-job fit affect their work engagement. Design/methodology/approach: To test the authors’ hypotheses, the authors performed structure equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation on Mplus with bootstrapping proposed by Hayes (2009) with data from 691 full-time employees in China. Findings: The results indicate that transformational leadership has as significant influence on employees’ work engagement as person-job fit in China. Moreover, employees’ perception of person-job fit is found to partially mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ work engagement. Research limitations/implications: There is a possible bias arising from the use of cross-sectional data. However, certain methods were implemented to minimize it, including survey design and data analysis. Practical implications: The paper proposes a number of practical implications for policy makers, HR managers and transformational leaders relating to issues associated with improving levels of employee engagement. Originality/value: The study contributes to developing leadership and engagement theory by examining a previously unexplored mediator – person-job fit – in a neglected cultural setting. This study promises to open new research avenues in this area.

Citation

Bui, H. T., Zeng, Y., & Higgs, M. (2017). The role of person-job fit in the relationship between transformational leadership and job engagement. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 32(5), 373-386. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-05-2016-0144

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 29, 2017
Online Publication Date Jul 3, 2017
Publication Date Jul 3, 2017
Deposit Date Jun 13, 2019
Journal Journal of Managerial Psychology
Print ISSN 0268-3946
Publisher Emerald
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 32
Issue 5
Pages 373-386
DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-05-2016-0144
Keywords Transformational leadership; Work engagement; Person-environment fit
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1987577
Publisher URL https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/JMP-05-2016-0144
Related Public URLs https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/410903/