Examining the mediating role of organizational support in the relationship between public leadership and job satisfaction

Leadership is an element that plays an important role in helping organisations achieve their goals. In addition, leadership is not only an element that directs organisations, but also a dynamic process that is affected by organisational structure and functioning. In this framework, the structural characteristics and management processes of public organisations have laid the groundwork for the emergence and shaping of public leadership. The aim of this study is to examine the relationships among the level of public leadership behaviours of public managers, employees' job satisfaction and organisational support levels. It is also examined whether organisational support has a mediating effect on the relationship between public leadership and job satisfaction. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used because it provides the advantage of examining the relationships among public leadership, job satisfaction and organisational support variables together forming a single structure. Bootstrap method, which has been widely used in recent years and accepted as a modern approach, was used in accordance with the research model for mediation analysis. The population of the study consists of approximately 230 personnel working in institutions outside the law enforcement units under the Ministry of Internal Affairs providing public services in Ağrı province. The data of the study, which is quantitative research, were collected by face-to-face questionnaire application. The sample size of the study consists of 151 personnel selected by simple random sampling technique. Public leadership, job satisfaction and organisational support scales which have proven international reliability and validity were used in the study. Using the data obtained, frequency analysis was used to define the personnel participating in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied for the construct validity of the scales, and it was seen that the scales used were compatible with the original scales. As a result of the reliability analyses, the scales were found to be reliable. In the measurement model, it was determined that there were significant relationships among the research variables. According to the findings, public leadership has a statistically significant and positive effect on employees' job satisfaction. Organisational support perceived by employees has a statistically significant and positive effect on job satisfaction. Public leadership behaviours have a statistically significant and positive effect on employees' perceived organisational support. In addition, it was found that organisational support has a partial mediating effect by reducing job satisfaction on the relationship between public leadership and job satisfaction. In the light of the findings obtained in the study, it is suggested that managers in public institutions should exhibit leadership behaviours in order to increase employees' job satisfaction and organisational support perceptions. In addition, suggestions were also made for the researchers who will work in the field.