The effects of authentic leadership and career satisfaction on subordinate task performance in the Turkish banking sector: The case of Osmani̇ye province

Achieving sustainable competitive advantage in the services offered in the banking sector depends on both the management approach and the task performance and career satisfaction of subordinates. However, there are limited studies on the effects of authentic leadership on task performance through career satisfaction from the perspective of bank employees. The goal of the study, which is one of the pursuits to eliminate the lack of evidence on this subject, is to reveal the effects of authentic leadership on the task performance of subordinates and to determine the mediating role of career satisfaction in the relationship between these two variables in the Turkish banking sector. The sampling of the research consists of subordinates working in public and private bank branches in Osmaniye province and its districts (n = 397). Research data were collected with the help of a survey consisting of Walumbwa et al.'s (2008) authentic leadership scale, Greenhaus et al.'s (1990) career satisfaction scale and Goodman & Svyantek's (1999) task performance scale. Then, based on this measurement model, Structural Equation Modelling was applied to test the research model and hypotheses. According to the research findings, it determined that both authentic leadership and career satisfaction positively and significantly affected the subordinate's task performance. It also observed that authentic leadership had a positive and significant effect on subordinates' career satisfaction. Additionally, it determined that career satisfaction played a mediating role in the relationship between authentic leadership and task performance. Finally, some limitations of the study were highlighted, suggestions for improving task performance and career satisfaction of subordinates in banks were developed, and guiding suggestions were presented for those who will conduct research on these issues in the future. Key Words: Turkish Banking Sector, Authentic Leadership, Subordinate' Task Performance, Career Satisfaction.