# A model on leader-member exchange, psychological empowerment and teamwork in esports teams

## TL;DR

This study explores how good leader-player relationships in esports teams improve teamwork by boosting players' sense of empowerment.

## Contribution

The study introduces a relational model linking leader-member exchange, psychological empowerment, and teamwork in esports.

## Key findings

- Leader-member exchange positively affects teamwork in esports teams.
- Psychological empowerment partially mediates the relationship between leader-member exchange and teamwork.
- Findings align with social exchange and positive organizational behavior theories.

## Abstract

The aim of this research is to explore how leader-member exchange (LMX) affects teamwork through the mediation of psychological empowerment and discusses the interaction between the concepts within the framework of a relational model. Unfortunately, the previous related studies in the literature are limited to the examination of paired relationships between concepts and these concepts have not yet been sufficiently dealt with in relation to esports contexts. Therefore, the present study aims to fill this gap by collecting data from various sources.

The data of the study, which was conducted with 804 professional esports players from Türkiye, the USA and South Korea who were selected by employing the conventional sampling method, were collected via an online survey and analyzed through structural equation modeling.

The findings revealed meaningful effects of leader-member exchange on teamwork and this effect was partially mediated by psychological empowerment.

These findings are consistent with the Social Exchange Theory, Inputs-Process-Outcomes Model and Positive Organizational Behavior Theory and account for the relationship between leader quality and team performance. The study also contributes to the literature in regards to esports leadership and offers practical suggestions to team coaches and directors.