The mediating role of perceived cooperative communication in the relationship between interpersonal exchange relationships and perceived group cohesion

• Main Authors: Abu Bakar, Hassan, Sheer, Vivian C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 2013
• Subjects: HD28 Management. Industrial Management
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/10645/1/Has.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/10645/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0893318913492564
• Institution: Universiti Utara Malaysia

This study develops a multi-level model to advance research on interpersonal exchange relationships among supervisors, subordinates and coworkers by integrating leader-member exchange (LMX), team-member exchange (TMX), and perceived cooperative communication.The model was tested by using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) with data obtained from a sample of 375 manager-employee dyads working in 48 groups in Malaysia.At the individual level, LMX was found to be related to TMX; at the team level, the relationship between the LMX-perceived cohesion link and the TMX-perceived cohesion link was mediated by perceived cooperative communication.These findings validated the proposed model and, in particular, the central role of communication in leader-member exchange processes in workgroups is empirically confirmed.Practical implications are discussed.