The mediating role of organizational support in the effect of bakery business employees' ethical leadership perceptions on job satisfaction and intention to leave: The case of Zonguldak province

In this study, it is aimed to show the effect of ethical leadership and perceived organizational support on job satisfaction and turnover intention. Quantitative research design was used in the study. Survey research, which is one of the types of quantitative research design, has been the preferred method. There are a total of 320 employees in 30 enterprises engaged in the production, distribution and sales of bakery products in the central district of Zonguldak. 303 usable data were obtained. In the study, data were colletted form the participants by convenience sampling method. With the measurement model created, the reliability and validity results of the structures used in the research were tested. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed for validity and reliability. The convergent and divergent validity and internal consistency reliability of the constructs were investigated by factor analysis. Result of the analysis; Ethical leadership variable is positively significant on job satisfaction and organizational support, and negatively on intention to leave Perceived organizational support variable is positively significant on job satisfaction variable and negatively significant on intention to leave. has an effect. As a result of the ethical behaviors of the leaders, the employees' perceptions of organizational support and job satisfaction increase, while their intention to leave decreases. As a result of the organizational support felt by the employees, their job satisfaction increases and their intention to leave decreases. Findings of the analysis revealed that the perceived organizational support variable has an integral part mediating role in the relationship between ethical leadership and job satisfaction variables, and the perceived organizational support variable has an integral partial mediating role in the relationship between ethical leadership variable and turnover intention variables. When the findings obtained from 303 employees are evaluated, leaders should treat their employees fairly, equally and honestly. By supporting their employees financially and morally, leaders should increase their job satisfaction and commitment to the organization and reduce their intention to leave. In this study, it is aimed to contribute to the literature on the protection of human resources, which is one of the problems faced by businesses. Keywords: Ethical Leadership, Job Satisfaction, Turnover Intention, Perceived Organizational Support