Relative influence of authentic and transformational leadership of local union representatives on the adoption of union citizenship behaviors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the different mediating processes by which authentic leadership and transformational leadership on the part of local union representatives influence members’ union citizenship behaviors (UCB) (i.e. UCBO and UCBI). Drawing from the social learning perspective, the authors suggest that authentic and transformational forms of leadership are associated with UCB through specific mechanisms i.e. member-representative value congruence and members’ collectivist orientation, respectively. Design/methodology/approach This research adopts a cross-sectional design. Structural equation modeling and bootstrap analysis were used to test the hypotheses among 343 members of a Canadian union federation representing professionals in the education sector. Findings The results show that the influence of authentic leadership on UCB is explained through value congruence and the influence of transformational leadership is principally exerted through members’ collectivist orientation. Practical implications By enhancing the understanding of the behavioral manifestations of local union leadership and its influential mechanisms, this research offers interesting avenues for union organizations that wish to develop and implement leadership training programs at the local level. Originality/value Only a handful of studies have investigated the relational antecedents of UCB, such as leadership. This research thus contributes to the UCB literature by extending the spectrum of examined local union leaders’ behaviors.