How and When Perceptions of Top Management Bottom-Line Mentality Inhibit Supervisors’ Servant Leadership Behavior

Babalola M.T. Jordan S.L. Ren S. Ogbonnaya C. Hochwarter W.A. Soetan G.T.
May 2023 SAGE Publications Inc.

Journal of Management
2023 #49 Issue 5 1662 - 1694 pp.

Extending existing bottom-line mentality (BLM) perspectives, we provide a new theoretical account of how supervisors’ perceptions of top management BLM influence supervisors’ servant leadership (SL) behavior. Using role theory, we propose that these perceptions inhibit supervisors’ SL behavior by reducing their SL role conceptualization or the extent to which supervisors consider SL part of their work responsibility. Further, given that the process underlying the relationship between perceived top management BLM and supervisor SL behavior may be explained by social learning theory and human adaptive capacity perspectives, we examine the incremental validity of supervisor SL role conceptualization versus supervisor BLM and empathy as mediating mechanisms. We also propose low perspective-taking among supervisors as a boundary condition that exacerbates the negative effect of perceived top management BLM on SL role conceptualization, which then results in less servant leader behavior. Data from two multiwave field studies in China and the United Kingdom provided some support for our hypotheses. Across unique cultural contexts, our findings highlight the value of a role theory perspective in understanding perceptions of top management BLM. We discuss critical theoretical and practical implications of these findings and avenues for subsequent research.

bottom-line mentality , perspective-taking , role conceptualization , role theory , servant leadership

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Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan
University of North Texas, 3404, United States
Deakin University, 95521, Australia
University of Kent, 2240, United Kingdom
Florida State University, United States
Edith Cowan University, Australia
Australian Catholic University, Australia

Nazarbayev University
University of North Texas
Deakin University
University of Kent
Florida State University
Edith Cowan University
Australian Catholic University

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