Goal interdependence and leader-member relationship for cross-cultural leadership in foreign ventures in China
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Leadership and Organization Development Journal
Publication Date
1-1-2008
Volume
29
Issue
2
First Page
144
Last Page
166
Keywords
China, Cross-cultural management, Intergroup relations, Joint ventures, Team working
Abstract
Purpose - This study seeks to empirically examine the impact of goal interdependence and leader-member relationship on cross-cultural leadership in joint ventures in China.
Design/methodology/approach - The research question is how to facilitate leader-member relationships between foreign managers and Chinese employees in joint ventures in China. Two hypotheses were generated. This study applies the theory of cooperation and competition and the theory of LMX to develop responses to the research questions. Completed survey questionnaires were analyzed on a valid sample of 199.
Findings - Results supported the theorizing that cooperative goals between managers and employees can strengthen their leader-member relationships, which in turn facilitate cross-cultural leadership. The results also extended this theorizing to cross-cultural settings.
Research limitations/implications - Although the theory of cooperation and competition and the theory of LMX were developed in the West, they could be useful in Chinese contexts for understanding cross-cultural leadership.
Practical implications - Foreign managers working in joint ventures in China who develop strongly cooperative goals may be able to develop high quality relationships that in turn promote employee commitment and performance.
Originality/value - This study provides overall support for the theory of cooperation and competition and the theory of LMX. Although developed in the West, they have been found useful for predicating behavior in Chinese contexts regarding cross-cultural leadership.
DOI
10.1108/01437730810852498
Print ISSN
01437739
E-ISSN
14725347
Publisher Statement
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Chen, N. Y., & Tjosvold, D. (2008). Goal interdependence and leader-member relationship for cross-cultural leadership in foreign ventures in China. Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 29(2), 144-166. doi: 10.1108/01437730810852498