Leveraging leader-leader exchange to enrich the effect of leader-member exchange on team innovation

In this study, I propose supervisors' upward leader-leader exchange relationships as an important boundary condition for the relationship between average leader-member exchange (LMX) relationships and a climate for innovation support at the group level. Specifically, I argue that the effect of resource spillover to poor-LMX subordinates within a work group is an important mechanism that leads to the development of a climate that supports innovation. I test the hypothesized moderated-mediation model by using multisource and multiwave data collected from 590 employees and 75 supervisors. The findings indicate that the indirect effect of team LMX relationships on team effectiveness via a climate for innovation support is more positive under high conditions of leader-leader exchange, whereas the effect is less positive under low conditions of leader-leader exchange. Implications and limitations relevant to developing research around LMX and innovation are addressed.