How Mutual Respect in Terms of Recognition and Appraisal Between Leaders and Followers, Along with Empathy and Liking Affect Follower Job Performance and Well-Being : The Complementary Role of Culture

How individuals believe they are treated by others in the workplace provides them with an important source of information regarding the extent to which they feel respected by them. Respect is therefore a key barometer individuals use to assess the quality of relationships There has been limited research investigating the effects of the recognition form of respect between leaders and their followers within the organization literature. We investigated whether mutual recognition respect as well as appraisal respect was associated with follower job performance and well-being after controlling for measures of liking and empathy. We also contend that national culture moderates these effects in a way that higher levels of collectivism would strengthen the effect of both forms of mutual respect, along with liking and empathy on followers’ wellbeing. Similarly, a higher level of power distance would strengthen the effect of these variables on followers’ job performance. Empirical validity was established by conducting a survey using a close-ended questionnaire. Data were collected from 100 respondents and analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structured equation modeling. The results suggested that collectivism and employees' well-being seem to have a significant and positive impact on both followers' well-being and job performance. Appraisal respect also seems to affect the follower's well-being positively. Whereas liking positively affects job performance. Results also showed that Power Distance seems to strengthen the effect of Mutual Recognition Respect (MRR) on Follower Job Performance, whereas Collectivism positively moderates the effect of MRR on Follower well-being. On the contrary, power distance seems to weaken the effect of liking on Follower Job Performance. Our findings suggest mutual recognition respect is an important form of respect in workplace relationships that can bring benefits to both the individual and the organizations