Relational demography and relationship quality in two cultures

Prior research has shown that demographic similarity between supervisors an d subordinates shapes supervisor-subordinate relationship quality in US set tings. The current study extends this body of research by comparing effects in a US production facility to effects in a Mexican facility owned by the same company. Results suggest that, in both locations, demographic similari ty influences the quality of relationships between supervisors and subordin ates. The specific patterns in Mexico, however, are not identical to those in the United States. Age similarity has negative effects on relationship q uality in Mexico, but not in the United States. Also, gender similarity has a stronger positive impact on one dimension of relationship quality (trust ) in Mexico, but it has a stronger positive impact on a second dimension of relationship quality (leader-member exchange) in the United States. Both t he overlap and disparities between demography effects in the two regions ar e important considerations when attempting to transfer human resource manag ement practices, such as diversity management programmes, across the Americ an-Mexican border.