When does self-sacrificial leadership motivate prosocial behavior? It depends on followers' prevention focus.

Full Abstract

In the present set of studies, the authors examine the idea that self-sacrificial leadership motivates follower prosocial behavior, particularly among followers with a prevention focus. Drawing on the self-sacrificial leadership literature and regulatory focus theory, the authors provide results from 4 studies (1 laboratory and 3 field studies) that support the research hypothesis. Specifically, the relationship between self-sacrificial leadership and prosocial behavior (i.e., cooperation, organizational citizenship behavior) is stronger among followers who are high in prevention focus. Implications for the importance of taking a follower-centered approach to leadership are discussed.

Author information

Author/s: De Cremer, David (D); Mayer, David M (DM); van Dijke, Marius (M); Bardes, Mary (M); Schouten, Barbara C (BC);

Affiliation: Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. ddecremer(-atsign-)rsm.nl

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The Journal of applied psychology (J Appl Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jul; vol 94 (issue 4) : pp 887-99

Dates: Created 2009/07/14; Completed 2009/08/14;

PMID: 19594232, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 8/21/2009, IMS Date: )

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