A hidden cost of working from home? Examining the effects of remote work on the quality of LMX Relationships

Author Information

Heather J. Anderson, University of South Dakota
Chet Barney, Univeristy of South Dakota

Start Date

October 2024

End Date

October 2024

Location

Beacom Hall Room 208

Presenter Information

Heather Anderson is an Assistant Professor of Management in the Beacom School of Business at the University of South Dakota. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma’s Price College of Business. Her research interests include leadership, organizational citizenship behavior, and proactive behavior. Chet Barney is Professor in the Beacom School of Business at the University of South Dakota. He received his Ph.D. in Business Administration from New Mexico State University. Prior to academia, Dr. Barney worked in both private corporate and state government technology positions.

Submission Type

Abstract

Track

Leadership and Management

Abstract

With many employees now working from home at least some of the time, manager-employee relationships are also changing. Through the lens of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory we propose that remote work may have hidden costs for employees. We argue that remote workers are more likely to have transactional relationships with their managers, missing out on the benefits associated with high-quality LMX exchanges. This research has important implications for both employees and organizations as they navigate the challenges of a remote workforce.