Leader–member exchange mediates the relationship between workplace fun and employee creativity

Abstract

Although previous researchers have explored positive outcomes of workplace fun, the workplace fun–employee creativity relationship has received little attention. We investigated the link between workplace fun and employee creativity, and the mediating effect of leader–member exchange (LMX) on this relationship. Participants comprised 226 subordinates and 45 supervisors from Chinese stateowned companies. We employed structural equation modeling analysis to examine the hypotheses. Results show that workplace fun did not have a significant direct relationship with employee creativity. However, LMX fully mediated the workplace fun–employee creativity link. These results suggest that, to promote employee creativity, organizations should create a fun work environment in which employees can develop high-quality LMX.