Exploring the Relationship Between Constructive Leader Behaviour and Work Engagement for Employed Midwives in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

This thesis adopts an organisational behaviour (OB) and human resource management (HRM) approach to investigate how emotionally interpreted leadership behaviours influence work engagement among employed midwives in New Zealand. While research on leadership often highlights transactional and transformational styles, these approaches largely overlook how leadership is emotionally experienced, particularly in emotionally demanding roles such as hospital-based midwifery (Glaveli et al., 2023; Walumbwa et al., 2010). This study examines the effects of Constructive Leadership Behaviours (CLB): Clarifying, Recognising, Ethical Conduct, and Networking on Work Engagement (WE) (Mharapara, Clemons, et al., 2022; Mharapara et al., 2019), using the emotional dimension of Leader–Member Exchange theory known as LMX-Affect (Epitropaki & Martin, 2005; Wagner & Koob, 2022). LMX-Affect captures the emotional quality of the leader–follower relationship, including trust, closeness, and mutual respect. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory (Cropanzano et al., 2017), Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000), and LMX theory, the study explores both mediating and moderating roles of LMX-Affect using PROCESS macro analysis and JAMOVI. Data (N = 327) was collected from employed midwives in clinical environments with high emotional labour demands. Findings reveal that Recognising and Ethical Conduct significantly influence engagement only when mediated by emotional trust. Clarifying and Networking behaviours, while structurally valuable, did not have a direct impact on engagement. LMX-Affect did not moderate the relationship, indicating that emotional connection is a prerequisite rather than an enhancer of leadership effectiveness (Ali et al., 2024; Decuypere & Schaufeli, 2020). This study contributes new understanding of emotionally resonant leadership in midwifery and offers practical recommendations for leadership development that supports sustainable engagement in healthcare practice.