Towards a Sustainable Leader-Follower Relationship: Constructive Dissensus, Organizational Virtuousness and Happiness at Work (HAW)

Abstract

This paper examines how leaders and followers can interact positively under complex and bounded conditions. For this purpose, this paper conceptualizes and measures the concept of constructive dissensus. Constructive dissensus relates to a mutual understanding leading to a situation of coregulation. In addition, the relationship between constructive dissensus and happiness at work is examined on the basis of affective events theory. Furthermore, the mediating role of organizational virtuousness is assessed. Through structural equation modeling, a multilevel analysis was performed. Data from 130 bank branches and 606 employees were gathered. The results reveal a direct effect of constructive dissensus on employees’ happiness at work. Moreover, a partial mediation effect of organizational virtuousness was found in the relationship between constructive dissensus and happiness at work.