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The effect of leader humor on employee adaptability

  • Irene Hau-siu Chow

    Irene Hau-Siu Chow (PhD, Georgia State University) is the Head and Professor in the Department of Management, Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. Her academic experience includes appointments in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and the US. She published widely in international journals. Her current research interests include leadership, cultural issues, social networks, and human resources management systems. Email: irenechow@hsu.edu.hk.

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Published/Copyright: October 30, 2019

Abstract

Building on affect-as-information theory, this study empirically tested a conceptual model of how and under what conditions a leader’s use of humor influenced employees’ adaptability using a sample of 209 subordinates and their supervisors in China. The results reveal the important mediating effect of pleasant feelings and the moderating effect of a need for humor. The impact of leader humor transmitted through pleasant feelings is effective only when an employee’s need for humor is high. The theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

About the author

Irene Hau-siu Chow

Irene Hau-Siu Chow (PhD, Georgia State University) is the Head and Professor in the Department of Management, Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. Her academic experience includes appointments in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and the US. She published widely in international journals. Her current research interests include leadership, cultural issues, social networks, and human resources management systems. Email: irenechow@hsu.edu.hk.

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Published Online: 2019-10-30
Published in Print: 2020-02-25

© 2020 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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