Transformational leadership, job engagement, and championing behavior: assessing the mediating role of role clarity

Purpose This paper aims to examine how role clarity mediates the effect of transformational leadership on job engagement and championing behavior in support of the conservation of resources theory. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a cross-sectional approach to collect data from managerial/nonmanagerial employees within the Pakistani hospitality industry via online and offline questionnaires. A total of 170 responses were used in the data analysis using partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings Findings show that transformational leadership directly predicts improved role clarity and job engagement. Moreover, role clarity leads to job engagement and championing behavior. Role clarity exhibits a partial mediation effect on job engagement and full mediation on championing behavior. Originality/value To bridge the gap in leadership literature, this research assesses the underlying effect of role clarity on the relationship between transformational leadership and its positive outcomes. It provides theoretical and managerial implications regarding the role of transformational leadership characteristics and outcomes.