n=336. * P < 0.05 ; ** P < 0.01 . CFI,  Comparative Fit Index ; TLI,  Tucker-Lewis Index ; RMSEA,  Root Mean Square Error of Approximation ; AIC,  Akaike Information Criterion .

Model 1: exemplary behaviours (EB), individualised consideration (IC), intellectual stimulation (IS) and contingent reward (CR) were included as four first-order factors under one second-order factor for active leadership (AL), and passive leadership (PL) was intercorrelated with AL.

Model 2: IC and IS were collapsed into one factor, resulting in three first-order factors for the AL second-order factor and PL was intercorrelated with AL.

Model 3: EB, IC and IS were collapsed into one factor, resulting in two first-order factors for the AL second-order factor, and PL was intercorrelated with AL.

Model 4: all the active factors (transformational leadership subfactors and CR) were collapsed into one first-order factor, and PL was intercorrelated with AL.

Model 5: all items loaded on one single factor.