The Effects of Leader Self-Sacrifice in Virtual Teams on Prosocial Behavior: The Mediational Role of Team Identification and Self-Efficacy

Stefano Ruggieri (), Melissa Gagliano, Rocco Servidio, Ugo Pace and Alessia Passanisi
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Stefano Ruggieri: Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
Melissa Gagliano: Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
Rocco Servidio: Department of Cultures, Education and Society, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Ugo Pace: Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
Alessia Passanisi: Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: Leadership is one of the most studied features of virtual teams. Among the various characteristics analyzed by recent literature, leadership self-sacrifice is one of the most important, as it represents a predictor of many positive characteristics of teams’ functioning. In this study, we (a) analyze the relationship between leader self-sacrifice and the prosocial behavior of followers in a work team and (b) observe the effects of leader self-sacrifice in virtual teams. A sample of 197 university students enrolled in a psychology course took part in a group electronic task of writing a detailed research plan for a scientific investigation. Participants collaborated in groups of five, led by a senior student for 30 days. Results showed the presence of an effect of e-leadership self-sacrifice on followers’ prosocial behavior. Another effect of e-leadership self-sacrifice was found via team identification and perceived self-efficacy. Findings are discussed on the basis of Social Identity Theory, showing the importance of self-sacrifice e-leaders to promote reciprocal prosocial behavior of the followers.

Keywords: e-leadership; self-sacrifice; virtual teams; prosocial behavior; team identification; self-efficacy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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