The mediating role of leader-member exchange in the effect of servant leadership on turnover intention – a research in accommodation businesses

The aim of this study is to determine the mediating role of leader-member exchange in the effect of servant leadership on turnover intention. Within the scope of the research, the data were obtained from the employees in 4- and 5-star hotels through face-to-face interviews and online questionnaires. Scales measuring servant leadership behaviour, turnover intention, and leader-member exchange among employees were used in the study. According to the results of Pearson correlation analysis, it has been determined that there is a moderate and negative correlation between 4- and 5-star hotels employees' turnover intention and servant leadership perceptions, a high and positive correlation in leader member exchange perceptions, and a moderate and negative correlation between turnover intention and leader-member exchange perceptions. It is seen that the servant leadership perceptions of the employees working in the relevant hotels decrease the turnover intention, and again the servant leadership perceptions significantly explain the leader-member exchange, while the leader-member exchange perceptions positively explain the turnover intention. It was determined that the interaction of servant leadership and leader-member exchange explained the variance of the variable of turnover intention to a significant degree, while the effect of thoughts on servant leadership on turnover intention is significant and slightly increases the effect. In the light of the findings of the study, it was seen that leader-member exchange was a change tool in the relationship between servant leadership and turnover intention.