The Effects of LMX and Feeling Trusted on Job Performance and Workplace Ostracism Among Salespeople

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of leader-member exchange (LMX) on employees' behaviors as well as to test the mediating roles of feeling trusted in the relationships. Research design, data, and methodology - Survey data were collected and analyzed from 285 sales people who work for various organizations in eastern China. The corresponding research models were verified using SPSS 22 and Amos 22. Results - The empirical results show that LMX plays a positive role in job performance and is positively related with subordinate's feelings of trust. However, the study was shown to have negative correlations between LMX and workplace ostracism. Feeling trusted by superiors mediated the relationship between LMX and job performance, resulting in employees being more motivated to do better, creating a positive synergetic effect. However, this relationship did not show to have significant mediating effects on the relationship between LMX and workplace ostracism. Conclusions - This study further enriches the relevant theory of LMX and has significance for management practices such as distribution sectors, guiding leaders to create a suitable team atmosphere. Leaders need to pay attention to build a high quality LMX with employees based on the empirical results of this study.