Leadership Styles, Turnover Intentions and the Mediating Role of Organizational Commitment

Abstract

The aim of this research article is to investigate the association between leadership styles, organizational commitment and turnover intentions. In particular, this study focuses on the mediation effect of organizational commitment on the association between styles of leadership and turnover intentions. One hundred and seventy (170) questionnaires were distributed and one hundred and twenty one (121) questionnaires were returned, indicating a response rate of 71.2%. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used to collect data. The population of this study consists of the insurance sector of Pakistan. Employees working at different hierarchal level were targeted, comprising non-managerial and managerial levels including upper, middle, and lower level management. The data were analyzed by using statistical package of SPSS 20th version. It was found that there is negative insignificant association between turnover intentions and transactional and transformational leadership styles. Also, organizational commitment mediated the association between styles of leadership and turnover intentions. Managers should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of different leadership styles as these may affect organizational commitment of subordinates and eventually, positive or negative effect on turnover intentions.

Keywords: Styles of Leadership, Employee Turnover Intentions, Organizational Commitment, Insurance Companies, Pakistan.