DEMOGRAPHIC AND ORGANIZATIONAL INFLUENCES ON LEADER-MEMBER EXCHANGE AND RELATED WORK ATTITUDES

Demographic and organizational characteristics were examined for their ability to constrain or facilitate leader-member exchange [LMX] proce sses. Independent effects of these variables and LMX on work attitudes also were examined within a latent variable model. Data were collecte d from 208 employees in 31 public libraries. Demographic differences a nd organizational characteristics were found to be independently relat ed to the quality of exchange. Organizational influences were more per vasive than demographic influences. Both context and LMX variables pre dicted work attitudes, with LMX providing an independent influence on those attitudes. Findings were consistent with the notions that LMX is a value-add process and that the leadership context can create bounda ries for LMX development. The organizational findings also were consis tent with the argument that context can affect leader discretion and t hus LMX. Results are discussed in terms of boundary conditions on LMX and future research on understanding their role in leadership. (C) 199 6 Academic Press, Inc.