Exploring Outcomes of Leader's Self-Perceived Group Prototypicality and Followers' Perceived Leader Group Prototypicality

As members of their groups, leaders can vary in terms of the extent to which they reflect the members’ values, norms, and attitudes. Using the concept of leader group prototypicality- the extent to which a leader is a representative of the group or organizational identity (Hogg, 2001)- this study addresses how leaders’ and followers’ perceptions of leaders’ group prototypicality jointly influence creativity and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Drawing from the social identity theory of leadership, I proposed and tested a model of leaders’ and followers’ perceived group prototypicality with followers’ perceptions of trust in the leader and leaders’ group-oriented behavior as mediators. Data from a sample of 137 leader-follower dyads were used to examine the hypothesized models. Results showed that leaders’ self-perceived group prototypicality was significantly associated with followers’ perceptions of their leaders’ group-oriented behavior. However, the indirect effects of leaders’ group-oriented behavior in the relationship between leaders’ self-perceived group prototypicality on the one hand and creativity and OCB on the other were not significant. Regarding followers’ perceived leader group prototypicality, there was a positive relationship between followers’ perceived leader group prototypicality and followers’ trust in the leader. The results also showed the significant indirect effects of trust in the leader between followers’ perceived leader group prototypicality and followers’ creativity and OCB. Theoretical implications are discussed to develop a different leadership research approach focusing on the social identity theory of leadership and group prototypicality. Additionally, practical implications are provided to utilize the concept of group prototypicality in organizations about how group prototypicality helps managers grow their congruent group values, encourages them to manage various groups to increase prototypicality, and helps them select and nurture future leaders who are appropriate for their group within an organization.