The effect of transformational leadership on innovative work behavior and job performance: A sample application in Bursa province

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of transformational leadership characteristics of automotive sector managers on innovative work behavior and job performance. Transformational leader is a leadership style that creates change and transformation by motivating employees with visionary thinking ability, establishes effective communication and attaches importance to their personal development. This approach enables employees to develop innovative thinking skills, adopt an attitude open to change and ensure positive changes in the organization. Innovative work behavior is the effort of individuals to generate new ideas, improve existing methods and apply creative solutions in business processes. It supports sustainable growth by increasing the competitiveness of the organization. Job performance, on the other hand, refers to the level of achievement of business objectives by managers and individuals. In today's business world where competition is intense, rapidly changing and technological developments are frequent, managers' transformational leadership characteristics and innovative behaviors play a critical role for the sustainable success of organizations. The population of the study consists of senior, middle and lower-level managers in the automotive sector operating in Bursa Organized Industrial Zone. Quantitative research method was preferred in the study and questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. Multifactor leadership scale, innovative work behavior scale and work performance scale were used in the study. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 25 program. In analyzing the data obtained in the study, descriptive statistics and normal distribution tests were first performed, followed by reliability analyses and factor analyses. Regression analysis was performed to measure the effect between variables and the results were given. As a result of the findings, it was seen that transformational leadership characteristics of managers have a significant and positive effect on innovative work behaviors and job performance. These results reveal the importance of transformational leadership characteristics in increasing innovative work behavior and job performance.