The effect of paternalistic leadership on work engagement in food and beverage enterprises: The Kütahya example

The current study examines the relationship between paternalistic leadership and work engagement in food and beverage businesses. In this context, it is aimed to reveal the effect of paternalistic leadership perception of employees in food and beverage businesses on work engagement behavior. The study used the survey technique, which is a quantitative data collection method. The study was implemented in food and beverage businesses in Kütahya. The sample size of the study was determined as 384. 680 survey forms were distributed in the survey study, and 427 of this number were returned. Only 393 of these surveys were evaluated and included in the analysis. Correlation and regression analyses were used in the evaluation of the data. The analysis of the data obtained in the study was carried out with the SPSS 25.0 program and as a result of the analysis, it was concluded that paternalistic leadership has a significant effect on work engagement and this effect is in the right direction. It was concluded that the sub-dimensions of paternalistic leadership, creating a family environment in the workplace, participating in employees' lives outside of work, and expecting loyalty and obedience from employees, have a significant effect on work engagement and this effect is in the right direction. Keywords: Food and Beverage Businesses, Kutahya, Paternalistic Leadership, Work Engagement