Affiliation:
1. School of Management Jiangsu University Zhenjiang China
2. School of Human Resources Guangdong University of Finance & Economics Guangzhou China
Abstract
ABSTRACTExtant research has uniformly demonstrated that servant leadership is beneficial for followers, teams, and even organizations. Drawing upon social information processing theory and social exchange theory, we challenge this prevalent conclusion by analyzing the dual impact mechanism of servant leadership on followers' work–family conflict. A total of 402 Chinese working adults responded to a three‐wave online questionnaire survey. The results revealed that: on the one hand, servant leadership can enhance thriving at work and reduce the work–family conflict of subordinates; on the other hand, servant leadership can also trigger workaholism in subordinates, which can increase work–family conflict. Traditionality of followers moderates the dual mechanism of servant leadership on work–family conflict. This study reveals the benefits and perils of servant leadership and the important role that traditionality plays in this unique leadership process.