Leader’s contribution to work group, group functions, and employees' contribution to group

This study examined: (1) the relationships between leaders’ contribution to work groups, on one hand, and the six functions work groups implement in relation to their members, as well as employees’ (members’) contribution to group and (2) the relationships of group functions with members’ contribution to groups. The following group functions were examined: creating possibilities for realizing individual goals and meeting individual needs; providing protection from social threats; providing information to members; educating group members; providing adaptive capacities to members; and providing control and regulation. Forty-nine departments (encompassing total of 276 employee) two commercial companies and one governmental organization participated in the study. Leaders’ contribution was found to be positively related to group functions (except for the control and regulation function) and to contribution of individual group members. The positive relationships of leaders’ contribution with members’ contribution were mediated by four functions. In addition, three group functions were related to members’ contribution, which was mediated by members’ satisfaction with their work group.