리더의 감사 표현과 구성원의 업무 열의: 리더 조절 초점 성향의 조절 역할

The purpose of the current study is to examine whether and when leader gratitude expression is related to employee work engagement. Specifically, drawing from the broaden-and-build theory and regulatory focus theory, we examined whether leader regulatory focus(i.e., promotion and prevention focus) moderates the relationship between leader gratitude expression and employee work engagement. Our hypotheses were tested with data from a sample of 280 employees in South Korea. We found that leader gratitude expression was positively related to employee work engagement. We also found that leader promotion focus moderated the positive relationship between leader gratitude expression and employee work engagement. Specifically, when leader promotion focus was high, the relationship between leader gratitude expression and employee work engagement was stronger compared to when leader promotion focus was low. Contrary to our expectations, however, leader prevention focus did not moderate the relationship between gratitude expression and work engagement. Our findings suggest that leader gratitude expression can contribute to enhancing employee work engagement, and it is necessary to consider leader regulatory focus in this process. In light of these findings, theoretical and practical implications, and directions for future research are discussed.