Social Exchange Approach and Happiness at Work: Exploring the Mediating Effect of Organizational Commitment

Abstract

This article aims to determine the direct and indirect effects of social exchange relationships Leader Member Exchange and Team Member Exchange (LMX and TMX) on organizational commitment and happiness at work. Based on the literature review and relying on the Social Exchange Theory perspective, the authors constructed the hypothetical structure, including the four variables under study. The sample comprised 177 employees from Mexican firms, and the proposed hypotheses were under examination through a path analysis. Results show that LMX, TMX, and happiness at work have a direct effect on organizational commitment. We also found an organizational commitment to be a partial relationship mediator between LMX and happiness at work.

The Moderating Role of Job Satisfaction in the Effects of Leader-Members Exchange on Workplace Happiness in Academy

“…In this context, it is clear that when academics feel that they are taken into consideration and cared for by their leaders, their workplace happiness is also positively affected. The results of the studies conducted by Amirullah, 2017;Büyükyilmaz & Yenici, 2021;García-Contreras et al, 2022;Greguras & Ford, 2006;Salas-Vallina et al, 2021 andTuran, 2022 also support this interaction.…”

“…When studies handling such an important phenomenon are examined, it is seen that the importance of the leader is emphasized in most of them (Chaiprasit & Santidhirakul, 2011;Williams et al, 2017;Salas-Valina & Alegre, 2018;Erer, 2021). Studies dealing with workplace happiness in the context of leader-member exchange reveal that leadermember exchange has determinative effects on workplace happiness (Güner & Bozkurt, 2017;Dose et al, 2019;Salas-Valina et al, 2021;García-Contreras et al, 2022;Yalvaç, 2022). In other words, employees who have a highquality exchange with their leaders may enjoy higher levels of happiness at work.…”

“…As a matter of fact, it can be argued that leader-member exchange, which provides positive work outcomes such as performance, organizational commitment, innovative work behavior and organizational identification, also affects workplace happiness. In other words, when there is high-quality leader-member exchange, the motivation of the employee to be happy at work increases (García-Contreras et al, 2022). In addition, job satisfaction, which has multiple goals such as improving the conditions of employees and ensuring organizational effectiveness, also supports the workplace happiness of individuals (Elayan et al, 2023).…”

Promoting well-being through happiness at work: a systematic literature review and future research agenda

“…In contrast, if financial and social support is not offered to them, they will not give their mental and emotional resources to their work (Kim, 2019). The social interactions and inter-relationships in organizations, such as leader-member exchange (LMX) and team member exchange (TMX), could lead to a high extent of happiness, particularly in work settings (Garc� ıa-Contreras et al, 2022).…”