Reciprocity in Manager-Subordinate Relationships: Components, Configurations, and Outcomes

The present study examines both positive and negative norms of reciprocity in managerial work relationships by assessing three components of reciprocal behavior: immediacy, equivalence, and interest motive. The findings show that subordinate reports of immediacy, equivalence, and self-interest were negatively associated, and mutual-interest was positively associated, with relationship quality as reported by both subordinates and managers (other-interest was not significant). These components of reciprocity were also subjected to cluster analysis to identify groupings of reciprocity styles. The results indicate styles reflecting high quality (n = 65), low quality (n = 120), and negative social exchanges (n = 23). Analyses addressing reciprocity configurations and work outcomes showed that the higher quality exchange relationships had higher levels of perceived organizational support and altruism (but not commitment) than the lower and negative exchange groups, while only the negative reciprocity group showed lower levels of performance and conscientiousness as rated by the manager.

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/managementfacpub/13/

Publication Information

Researcher Information

	Uhl-Bien, Mary Professor, Howard Hawks Chair in Business Ethics and Leadership Expertise: Business Ethics Leadership Organizational Behavior Management CBA 269 P.O. Box 880491 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE 68588-0491, USA Phone: (402) 472-2314 Fax: (402) 472-5855 mbien2@unl.edu	Uhl-Bien, Mary	Management