MEASURING QUALITY OF INTERACTION BETWEEN LEADERS AND MEMBERS

The paper reports the development of a scale to measure the quality of interaction between leaders and members in line with the leader membe r exchange/vertical dyad linkage theorization of Dansereau, Graen, and Haga (1975), incorporating the suggestions of Dienesch and Liden (198 6). Construct definitions were developed and items were generated and evaluated for content validity. A varimax rotated factor analysis of t he data yielded only 2 of the proposed 3 factors-perceived contributio n and affect. The two subscales documented factor stability and high r eliability coefficients. Within- and between-groups analysis found sup port for dyadic nature of interaction. The implications of the results are discussed and conclusions are drawn about the new scale.