The Double-edge Sword Effects of Ambidextrous Leadership——An Integrated Model of Two Approaches Based on Cognitive Strain and Vitality at Work

Abstract

Abstract: Ambidextrous leadership refers to leaders who solve conflicts and tensions with paradox thinking. Although abundant studies have demonstrated the positive impact of ambidextrous leadership on employees' behaviors and performance, the negative consequences of ambidextrous leadership have been neglected. Based on the cognitive-affective system theory of personality (CAPS), the present paper aims to explore the process and boundary condition of how ambidextrous leadership influences employees' task performance from both the cognition and affective perspectives. Specifically, we investigate the mediating roles of employees' cognitive strain and vitality at work in the ambidextrous leadership-task performance association. Employing a two-wave questionnaire survey, 278 valid data are obtained from full-time employees of enterprises located in Shanghai, Beijing, Gansu, and Henan. Consistent with hypotheses, the analysis results based on bootstrapping method show that:(1) there is a significant multiple indirect effect of employees' cognitive strain and vitality at work in the mechanism of how ambidextrous leadership influences employees' task performance; (2) with respect to the affective process, ambidextrous leadership could enhance employees' vitality at work and consequently task performance; (3) with respect to the cognition process, ambidextrous leadership increases employees' cognitive strain, which in turn diminishes employees' task performance; (4) the total indirect effect of ambidextrous leadership on employees' task performance via cognition path (cognitive strain) and affective path (vitality at work) is significant and positive; (5) Chinese traditionality not only moderates the relationship between ambidextrous leadership and employees' vitality at work, but also moderates the indirect effect of ambidextrous leadership on employees' task performance (via vitality at work), such that the relationship is stronger under low Chinese traditionality than under high. However, Chinese traditionality has no moderating effect on the ambidextrous leadership-employees' cognitive strain association. With these findings, the present study extends the research concerning the effects of ambidextrous leadership, further clarifies the process and boundary condition under which the ambidextrous leadership affects task performance, and offers practical implications for organizations to utilize ambidextrous leadership flexibly and effectively.

Key words: ambidextrous leadership, task performance, cognitive strain, vitality at work, Chinese traditionality

Zhao Hongdan, Guo Limin, Luo Jinlian. The Double-edge Sword Effects of Ambidextrous Leadership——An Integrated Model of Two Approaches Based on Cognitive Strain and Vitality at Work[J]. Management Review, 2021, 33(8): 211-223.

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