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Paradoxical Leadership, Subjective Ambivalence, and Employee Creativity: Effects of Employee Holistic Thinking

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  • Yan Zhang
  • Ying Zhang
  • Kenneth S. Law
  • Jing Zhou

Abstract

Drawing from meaning maintenance theory, the authors posit that paradoxical leader behaviour causes some employees to feel subjectively ambivalent, depending on holistic thinking styles. Employees who feel ambivalent will then show greater creativity as they search for ways to alleviate discomfort, again depending on thinking styles. Two field studies, one using cross‐sectional and one using panel data, confirm the hypotheses. For low (high) holistic thinkers, paradoxical leadership is more (less) positively associated with subjective ambivalence, and ambivalence is more (less) positively associated with creativity. The results offer theoretical and practical implications that holistic thinking determines whether paradoxical leadership evokes subjective ambivalence and subsequent creativity.

Suggested Citation

  • Yan Zhang & Ying Zhang & Kenneth S. Law & Jing Zhou, 2022. "Paradoxical Leadership, Subjective Ambivalence, and Employee Creativity: Effects of Employee Holistic Thinking," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(3), pages 695-723, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:59:y:2022:i:3:p:695-723
    DOI: 10.1111/joms.12792
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gongli Luo & Guangming Zhu & Yanlu Guo, 2023. "Effect of paradoxical leadership on employee innovation behavior in a Confucian context," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(5), pages 2249-2279, November.
    2. Yijun Xing & Yipeng Liu & Fabian Jintae Froese & Manli Huang, 2023. "Advancing Chinese leadership research: review and future directions," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(2), pages 493-508, April.
    3. Khaksar, Seyed Mohammad Sadegh & Shahmehr, Fatemeh S. & Miah, Shah & Daim, Tugrul & Ozdemir, Dilek, 2024. "Privacy concerns versus personalisation benefits in social robot acceptance by employees: A paradox theory — Contingency perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    4. Wei, Wu & Zhou, Ying & Wang, Danni, 2023. "Learning to integrate conflicts: Paradoxical leadership fosters team innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).

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