Leader–member exchange and emotional exhaustion in registered construction engineers: mediating role of active management by exception and moderating role of self-esteem

Purpose This study investigated the impact of leader-member exchange (LMX) on emotional exhaustion among Chinese registered construction engineers by examining the mediating role of active management by exception (AMbE) and the moderating role of self-esteem. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 304 registered construction engineers, the study applies the job demands-resources (JD-R) model to explore how LMX, AMbE and self-esteem interact to influence emotional exhaustion. Findings The findings indicate a significant negative relationship between LMX and emotional exhaustion, suggesting that higher-quality exchanges between leaders and members reduce emotional exhaustion. Additionally, AMbE was found to mediate this relationship, where high-quality LMX relationships decrease the extent of AMbE, subsequently lowering emotional exhaustion. Self-esteem was also found to moderate the relationship between AMbE and emotional exhaustion, with high self-esteem exacerbating the negative impact of AMbE and low self-esteem buffering this impact. Originality/value These results extend the JD-R model by incorporating leadership quality and management style as critical factors influencing emotional well-being. The study underscores the need for balanced management approaches that consider both supportive and corrective behaviors and highlights the importance of tailoring interventions based on individual differences in self-esteem. The findings provide valuable insights for both theory and practice in managing stress and enhancing the well-being of professionals in high-stress industries. Future research should aim to replicate these findings with larger samples to further validate and extend the results.