The effect of individuals' social factors on their cultural orientations and leadership preferences: The moderating role of organizational culture perception

This study aims to examine the effects of individuals' cultural environments on individualism and collectivist (collectivist) cultural tendency levels and leadership preferences by considering the social factors of working individuals in the context of their family, close environment and educational environment. In addition, the effects of organizational culture on leadership preferences are examined in the research. The sample of this study consists of small, medium, and large-scale production companies in Organized Industrial Zones in Istanbul. Question papers were collected from 242 working individuals in this sample. Smart PLS SEM analysis was used to test the hypotheses developed within the scope of this study. When the analysis findings are evaluated in general, it is concluded that the social factors of individuals will directly affect the individualism and collectivist cultural tendency and the choice of leader in organizations. It has been concluded that the "authoritarianism" sub-dimension of social factors has a direct effect on the collectivist cultural tendency and paternalist leader preference in individuals, while the democracy sub-dimension of social factors has a direct effect on both individualist and collectivist cultural tendency and democratic leader preference in individuals. In addition, it has been concluded that the cultural tendency of collectivism may also affect the paternalist leader preference. In addition, in the model, organizational culture has no effect on social factors and individualism and collectivism cultural tendencies, but it influences leadership preference. Keywords: Paternalist Leadership, Democratic Leadership, Servant Leadership, Individualism and Collectivism, Social Culture, Organizational Culture