The Quality of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX): A Multilevel Analysis of Individual-level, Organizational-level and Societal-level Antecedents

Abstract We examine the direct relationships for both individual values and organizational-level culture on the quality of leader-member exchange (LMX) in a multilevel, multi-society study. In addition, we investigate the moderating roles of organizational- and societal-level cultures. Using 2343 respondents from 12 samples, we performed hierarchical linear modelling analysis and found that individual-level collectivism and organizational-level clan and hierarchy cultures were positively related to LMX, while individual-level individualism and organizational-level market and adhocracy cultures were negatively related to LMX. None of the organizational culture types or societal cultures had any moderating effects. One implication of the lack of moderating findings is that the main effect findings may be global, suggesting that they are not constrained by the organizational culture or societal culture in which they are embedded. We discuss additional implications for these findings.