A Systematic Literature Review on the Impact of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and Work Engagement

Abstract

This systematic literature review aims to provide a comprehensive review of empirical studies on the relationship between Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and work engagement with organizational insights. LMX describes the quality of the relationship between leaders and their subordinates and has been widely recognized as a key antecedent of work engagement that is considered as a vital factor influencing employee performance and overall organizational success. Drawing on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, two major electronic databases, Scopus and Web of Sciences (WoS) were used to identify relevant studies. The articles were screened and selected according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in a total of 17 studies being reviewed. From the findings, it shows that LMX plays a crucial role in enhancing employees’ work engagement, although the strength or how it affects this relationship differs across sectors and cultural contexts.