Effect of cultural values on the relationship of paternalist leadership perception and trust in supervisor

In literature it is emphasized that paternalist leadership is perceived positively in high-power and collectivist societies, while it is perceived negatively in low-power and individualistic societies. These highlights and some studies' empirical findings exhibit impression that individuals who has different cultural values in a society may have different perceptions and attitudes towards paternalist leadership. Establishing whether paternalist leadership perceived a positive leadership style depending on the cultural values in a society seems to have importance, both in terms of contribute to existing theoretical debates and meet the need for empirical studies. With this rationale parallel to debates in literature in this study, it is questioned whether paternalist leadership as a leadership style is perceived positively depending on individuals' cultural values. In this context is is aimed to analyze the relationship between paternalist leadership and trust in supervisor and effects of power distance, individualism and collectivism on paternalist leadership-trust in supervisor relationship. Based on the study purpose a quantitative research was designed and required data for research was gathered by questionnaire form. Research sample is composed of 753 participants working in different occupations as private and public sectors. In order to reply research question and test hypotheses, correlation, regression and moderation effect analysis was used. According to research findings, there is a strong positive relationship between employees' paternalist leadership perception and their level of trust in supervisor. At the same time paternalist leadership perception have a strong and positive effect on trust in supervisor. It is seen that employees' perception about paternalist leadership is positive and they are satisfied with their supervisors. According to moderator effect analysis' findings, it is seen that there were no significant effects of cultural values on paternalist leadership-trust in supervisor relationship. Considering on micro level behind macro debates, results show that employees' cultural values are not significantly important within the context of this study. Therefore it is possible state that reflection of employees' cultural values in organization is quite low and it doesn't create a significant result.