SOCIAL-EXCHANGE IN ORGANIZATIONS - PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT, LEADER-MEMBER EXCHANGE, AND EMPLOYEE RECIPROCITY

Social exchange (P. Blau, 1964) and the norm of reciprocity (A. W. Gou ldner, 1960) have been used to explain the relationship of perceived o rganizational support and leader-member exchange with employee attitud es and behavior. Recent empirical research suggests that individuals e ngage in different reciprocation efforts depending on the exchange par tner (e.g., B. L. McNeely & B. M. Meglino, 1994). The purpose of the p resent study was to further investigate these relationships by examini ng the relative contribution of indicators of employee-organization ex change and subordinate-supervisor exchange. Structural equation modeli ng was used to compare nested models. Results indicate that perceived organizational support is associated with organizational commitment, w hereas leader-member exchange is associated with citizenship and in-ro le behavior.