Relationship between the three dimensions of paternalistic leadership, cognitive and affective trust and organizational citizenship behavior: a multilevel mediational pathway
Loading...
Date
2025-02-25
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Emerald Publishing Limited
Rights
(c) The Author
CC BY 4.0
CC BY 4.0
Abstract
Purpose
The current study aims to explore the three dimensions of paternalistic leadership (i.e. moral leadership, benevolent leadership and authoritarian leadership) and their dual pathways of positive and negative influences on employees’ organizational citizenship behavior through the two aspects of trust (i.e. cognitive and affective trust).
Design/methodology/approach
Given that trust is pertinent in any human relationship, especially in Asian countries where bonding plays an important role, the current study investigated the relationship of each leadership style within paternalistic leadership on employees’ cognitive and affective trust in their leaders, employees’ organizational citizenship behavior and the processes involved. The current study employed a cross-sectional multilevel approach with 435 employees from 85 workgroups participating in the study.
Findings
As hypothesized, benevolent and moral leadership styles (but not the authoritarian leadership style) had a positive effect on employees’ cognitive and affective trust in their leaders and on employees’ organizational citizenship behavior. Cognitive and affective trust also mediated the relationships of benevolent and moral leadership styles with organizational citizenship behavior.
Originality/value
The study’s findings urge practitioners and human resources personnel to be aware of the dual effects that a paternalistic leader has on employees. To be specific, benevolent and moral leadership styles are conducive to employees’ work outcomes, whereas the authoritarian leadership style has a non-significant role in employees’ work outcomes.
Description
Keywords
Paternalistic leadership, Benevolent leadership, Moral leadership, Authoritarian leadership, Cognitive trust, Affective trust, Organizational citizenship behavior, Multilevel
Citation
Lee MCC. (2025). Relationship between the three dimensions of paternalistic leadership, cognitive and affective trust and organizational citizenship behavior: a multilevel mediational pathway. Baltic Journal of Management. 20. 6. (pp. 20-38).