The moderating effect of face values: Information sharing and initiative encouragement in China’s civil service

Abstract

Despite previous studies on face values across a number of disciplines, there is limited research onhow face values influence manager-subordinate relationships in China’s civil service. This studyexamines the role of managers’ face values in the relationship between their trust in subordinateloyalty and willingness to empower subordinates. The findings of our study indicate that superiorface-saving and face-enhancing values moderate the relationships between information sharing,initiative encouragement, and their trust in subordinate loyalty.