AN EXAMINATION OF SUBORDINATE-PERCEIVED RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LEADER REWARD AND PUNISHMENT BEHAVIOR AND LEADER BASES OF POWER

This paper extends earlier research on perceived leader reinforcement behavior and its affective and behavioral correlates. The current stud y examines relationships among subordinate perceptions of our supervis ory (''leader'') reinforcement behaviors (contingent and noncontingent reward and punishment behavior) and the five French and Raven (1959) bases of power (reward, coercive, legitimate, expert, and referent pow er). Based upon the literature, five sets of hypothesized relationship s were developed, relating the perceived power bases to the perceived reward and punishment behaviors. Bivariate correlation, stepwise multi ple regression, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were per formed on data obtained from surveys conducted in two large (N = 375, 297) samples. The results supported the positive effects of subordinat e-perceived supervisor contingent reward and punishment behavior and t he negative effects of noncontingent punishment on subordinate percept ions of their supervisor's power. Not supported were the moderating ef fects of time spent in interaction or time under the direction of the supervisor on these relationships. Implications for practicing manager s and for future research are discussed.