Promoting knowledge workers’ task performance: A social exchange perspective

• Xiaoli Che

  Northern University of Malaysia

• A. Fakhrorazi

  Northern University of Malaysia

• Loke Wei-Kit

  Reliance College Penang

• Qinyuan Chen

  Ghent University

In this study we aimed to promote Chinese public sector development and reduce the difficulty of management and motivation of knowledge workers (k-workers) in the public sector. We investigated if servant leadership influences leader–member exchange (LMX) and if k-workers’ LMX influences their task performance, as well as examining the mediating role of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). We collected questionnaires from 383 k-workers in 10 Chinese public sectors via a self-administered survey, and used partial least squares structural equation modeling for data analysis. Results show that servant leadership had a positive relationship with LMX, LMX was positively related to OCB and task performance, and OCB had a mediating effect in the LMX–task performance relationship. Our results have theoretical implications, and our practical suggestions for managing, motivating, and inspiring k-workers will help promote the organizational performance of the Chinese public sector.

1. Xiaoli Che, Northern University of Malaysia
   Ghazali Shafie Graduate School of Government (GSGSG)
2. A. Fakhrorazi, Northern University of Malaysia
   Director of Ghazali Shafie Graduate School
3. Loke Wei-Kit, Reliance College Penang
   School of Tourism Management Studies
4. Qinyuan Chen, Ghent University
   Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology

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