The mechanism underlying the relationship between empowering leadership and work passion

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of empowering leadership (EL) on work passion by developing a moderated mediation model. The model focuses on the mediating effect of intrinsic motivation (IM) in the relationship between EL and work passion, as well as the moderating effect of role clarity (RC) in influencing the mediation. METHODS: Data were obtained from a sample of 515 workers, who work in 17 five-star hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh. RESULTS: Findings reveal that IM fully mediates the positive relationship between EL and work passion. It also concluded that RC moderated the mediated relationship between EL and work passion via IM, with individuals with higher RC benefiting more from the mediation. CONCLUSION: The findings have far-reaching implications for both employees and leaders. Furthermore, they add to our understanding of self-determination theory and cognitive evaluation theory in terms of consolidating employees’ work passion.