Title: Second Generation Leader Categorization Research: The Moderating Influence of Subordinates’ Self-Perceptions and Social Comparison Orientation

Authors: Niels van Quaquebeke (University of Hamburg, GER), & Daan van Knippenberg (RSM Erasmus University, NL)

Abstract: Research on leader categorization processes has shown that subordinates’ responses to leaders and their leadership greatly depend upon the extent to which subordinates perceive leaders to match a cognitive prototype of an ideal leader. The better the perceived match between the two, the more favourable will subordinates respond to the leader. In the present study, we propose a fundamental extension of this approach,

arguing that subordinates engage in a similar categorization process to also estimate their own leader potential. We predict that in combination with their social comparison orientation these self-perceptions determine how heavily subordinates rely upon the process of leader categorization as a means to determine their responses towards their leaders. Results of a cross-sectional survey among employees (N = 265) confirm that subordinates' self-perceptions as potential leaders moderate the direct effects proposed by leader categorization theory. The extent to which leaders were perceived to have the characteristics of an ideal leader was more predictive of responses to leadership (measured by subordinates’ respect for the leader, personal identification with the leader, and satisfaction with the leadership) the higher subordinates perceived their own leadership qualities to be. As

expected, this interactive effect was further qualified by subordinates' social comparison orientation. Subordinates with a higher dispositional tendency to engage in social comparison were more prone to let responses to leadership be contingent on their leaders perceived leadership qualities the more they thought of themselves to have leadership potential. We outline how these findings break new ground for research in leadership categorization and leadership effectiveness. ...pdf >>

Reference: van Quaquebeke, N., & van Knippenberg, D. 2007. Second Generation Leader Categorization Research: The Moderating Influence of Subordinates’ Self-Perceptions and Social Comparison Orientation. Poster presented at the 13th European Congress of Work and Organizational Psychology, Stockholm, SWE.