Becker, Jennifer A. H.; Halbesleben, Jonathon R. B.; O'Hair, H. Dan; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This paper investigates the relationship between defensive communication in performance
appraisal settings by considering the mediating effect of leader-member exchange relationships.
In a study of employees of a United States federal fire department, defensive communication was
associated with lower quality leader-member exchange relationships, which in turn was related
to burnout. We discuss the implications of these findings, particularly as they apply to
organizations and their employees, as well as limitations and directions for future research.