Leader reinforcement, behavioral integrity, and subordinate outcomes: A social exchange approach

Abstract

Measures of leader reward and punishment omission and behavioral integrity have demonstrated sound psychometric properties and interesting relationships in recent studies. In this study, the psychometric properties of these new measures are first examined, supporting previous findings. Hypotheses and theoretical models incorporating these constructs, along with contingent reward and punishment, are developed and tested using a social exchange theory framework and a sample of 456 workers in 15 Northeastern U.S. restaurants. It was found that contingent reward, contingent punishment, and reward omission impact perceptions of behavioral integrity. It was also found that trust partially mediates the relationship between behavioral integrity and subordinate perceptions of organizational commitment and satisfaction (but not leader effectiveness). Limitations of the study are discussed and directions for future research are suggested.