Impact of Second-Order Leader-Member Exchange on Employee Advocacy in the Chinese Hotel Industry

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of second-order leader-member exchange(LMX) on employee advocacy in the Chinese hotel industry. Utilizing leader-member exchange theory, the study hypothesizes that high-quality LMX can enhance employee advocacy behaviors. Data were collected from 386 employees in 6 five-star hotels across China and analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses. The results not only demonstrate the applicability of the second-order model in the Chinese hotel industry but also indicate that second-order LMX significantly and positively impacts employee advocacy. These findings offer valuable insights for hotel management practices, emphasizing the critical role of multidimensional LMX in fostering positive employee advocacy behaviors.