Author(s)

Rui Zhao, Yuhua Sheng

Business School, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.

According to the social exchange theory, based on the 335 valid questionnaire data, the article uses the hierarchical regression method to examine the influence of authoritarian leadership and charismatic leadership on employee engagement and the moderating effect of task structure. The results show that charismatic leadership is significantly positively correlated with employee engagement, and there is a significant positive correlation between vigor, dedication and absorption. Authoritarian leadership is significantly negatively correlated with employee engagement, and is significantly negatively correlated with vigor and dedication. The task structure plays a moderating role between authoritarian leadership and employee engagement. Studies have shown that combined with contextual factors can better explain the role of leadership quality in leadership effectiveness, and also provide guidance and suggestions for leadership selection and practice, that is, in the context of high-task structure, organizations should prioritize the selection of individuals with authoritarian orientation as leaders.

Charismatic Leadership, Authoritarian Leadership, Task Structure, Employee Engagement

Zhao, R. and Sheng, Y. (2019) The Effect of Leadership Style on Employee Engagement: The Moderating Role of Task Structure. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 7, 404-420. doi: 10.4236/jss.2019.77033.