Posting on Social Media: Influences of Positive Managerial Information Disclosures on Subordinate Proactive Behaviour and Manager–Subordinate Relationship

Abstract

Social media is an important communication medium. It enables subordinates to follow their managers’ activities outside of formal work spaces. However, knowledge about the effects of managers’ social media posts on subordinates is rather limited. Drawing on social information processing theory, we propose that manager positive information disclosures on social media affect subordinates’ work behaviour and relationship with their manager. We distinguish manager work-related from life-related information disclosure on social media in a pilot study. Results from the main study (a multi-time survey study) suggest that manager positive work-related information disclosure on social media has a positive effect on subordinate proactive behaviour through subordinate organizational identification, and that manager positive life-related information disclosure on social media has a positive effect on manager–subordinate relationship through perceived manager friendliness. Moreover, subordinate attention to social media strengthens the positive effects of manager positive information disclosures. Study implications and limitations and future research directions are discussed.