Push or Pull? An Examination of the Curvilinear Effect of Leader Workaholism on Follower Creativity

Abstract

Abstract: Under the 996 work regime in China, leader workaholism has received extensive attention in both theory and practice. However, current literature typically examines the impact of leader workaholism on performance but ignores its impacts on creativity. Drawing on activation theory, we build a theoretical model to explain whether and under what conditions workaholic leaders may promote or hinder follower creativity. Using the responses of 252 surveyed employees from a research and development center in a state-owned enterprise, our empirical research reaches the following conclusions. Followers are more creative when leader workaholism remains at a moderate level rather than at a very low or very high level. Meanwhile, time pressure mediates the curvilinear impact of leader workaholism on follower creativity. And follower core self-evaluation moderates the curvilinear relationship between time pressure and follower creativity such that this curvilinear relationship is more obvious among followers with low levels of core self-evaluation.

Key words: leader workaholism, time pressure, core self-evaluation, creativity

Li Quan, She Zhuolin, Yang Baiyin, Yang Bin. Push or Pull? An Examination of the Curvilinear Effect of Leader Workaholism on Follower Creativity[J]. Management Review, 2023, 35(4): 203-214.

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