Mixed blessing of supervisor-subordinate relationship: The instrumental-based mechanism from an inequity perspective of over-reward

By adopting distinct instrumental-based supervisory favoritisms as mediating variables, this study distinguishes leader–member exchange (LMX) and supervisor–subordinate guanxi (SSG) from an inequity perspective of over-reward. The analytical results from 399 paired survey data collected in three waves in a state-owned hospital in China, indicate that subordinates could achieve more rewarding resources from both LMX and SSG, and then reciprocate with more citizenship behaviors toward the organization. However, compared with LMX, SSG could impose fewer restrictions on the preferred subordinates, and then indulge deviant behaviors toward the organization. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.