My Leader Sent Me a 😊: The Influence of Leader Smile Emoji Usage on Follower Attitude
研究领导在数字沟通中使用笑脸表情符号如何影响下属对领导的满意度和感知有效性，发现它通过提升亲密感增加满意度，但通过降低权力感削弱有效性，且对高权力距离取向的下属负面影响更强。
Abstract Digital technology enables employees to communicate with each other via virtual platforms. Emoji, particularly smile emoji, has received significant attention in virtual communication research. Drawing upon expectancy violation theory, we propose that in digital communications with followers, leader smile emoji usage has a positive effect on follower satisfaction with leader through perceived leader intimacy. In addition, leader smile emoji usage has a negative effect on perceived leader effectiveness through decreased perception of leader power. We further propose that the effects of leader smile emoji usage hinge on follower power distance orientation such that the negative effects of leader smile emojis usage are more pronounced for followers with high versus low power distance orientation. An experiment and a field study supported our hypotheses. Our research sheds light on the benefits and potential pitfalls of smile emoji usage in leader–follower digital communication.