Demystifying The Moderating Role of Reciprocity Ideology on the Nexus Between Authentic Leadership Style and Organizational Productivity

Organizational productivity has recently attracted a significant amount of attention from researchers and practitioners, most especially considering the input invested by leaders in both the manufacturing and service sectors. This study investigates the structural relationship between authentic leadership and organizational productivity and explores the moderating role of reciprocity ideology. Three hundred and seventeen (317) respondents were conveniently and purposively selected from existing construction firms in the south-west region of Nigeria and analyzed the obtained data using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicate that authentic leadership and reciprocity ideology have a positive and significant effect on organizational productivity. Furthermore, the reciprocity ideology revealed an insignificant moderating role at the nexus between authentic leadership style and organizational productivity. Using concepts from social exchange theory and self-determination theory, this study posits that an authentic leader can significantly influence employee productivity and help them grow professionally. In particular, the authentic leadership traits enhance and supplement the employee’s essential skills for optimal performance. However, researchers suggest policy implications to enhance decision performance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the ideology of reciprocity in existing communal relations.