A test of the path-goal theory of leadership with need for clarity as a moderator in research and development organizations

Abstract

A study of 477 professional employees from four research and development organizations revealed that need for clarity had a moderating effect on the initiating structure-satisfaction relationship for both concurrent and 1-year-later data, whereby the higher the need for clarity among subordinates, the stronger the relationship between initiating structure and job satisfaction. In addition, need for clarity similarly moderated the initiating structure-performance relationship in the largest of the research and development organizations for both concurrent and 1-year-later data. Neither task clarity nor organization membership had a moderator effect for these relationships. Implications for path–goal leadership theory and the management of research and development professional employees are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)