In this study, we integrate leader-member exchange (LMX) theory with social network perspective to examine the implications of a follower influence social network for group level leader-member exchange differentiation (LMXD). Specifically, we propose that a follower’s centrality in the workgroup influence network associates with the leader’s attribution of the follower status which in turn affects LMXD. Further, we extend our theory to account for the workgroup membership and suggest that leader power distance and workgroup relationship conflict moderate the direct effect of the leader’s attribution of the follower status on LMXD as well as the indirect effect of the follower’s centrality in the workgroup influence network on LMXD via leader’s attribution of the follower status. Multilevel analyses of multi-source time-lagged data from 991 employees and 180 followers nested in 180 workgroups supported our predictions. Theoretical and practical implications along with future research directions are discussed.
