The mediating role of communication satisfaction in relational demography – a study in Macao, SAR context

Abstract

Although demographic diversity has been found to increase interpersonal attraction and trust, some research has suggested that the effect is only temporary. This study investigates the mechanism of relational demography on supervisor satisfaction by examining the mediating role of an underlying attribute – communication satisfaction. The results demonstrate that communication satisfaction fully mediates the relationship between hometown diversity and satisfaction with a supervisor. Hometown diversity acts as a stepping stone to increase satisfaction at the beginning of the relationship. However, in the long run, communication satisfaction, which serves as a deep-level factor, increases satisfaction with supervisor. Implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• age diversity
• communication satisfaction
• gender diversity
• hometown diversity
• relational demography
• satisfaction with supervisor