Analysis of the role of servant leadership on employee’s job satisfaction mediated by leader-member exchange style among employees in the private higher education sector in Kuwait

Abstract

A growing body of literature explores the underlying mechanisms and processes that enable servant leadership to impact organizational performance, engagement, and outcomes positively. This research assesses the mediation role of leader-member exchange between servant leadership and job satisfaction among employees in Kuwait's universities. The study utilized a closed-ended survey that was distributed to 240 workers, with 205 valid responses received from employees working in two private higher education sectors in Kuwait. using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis. The outcomes of the study demonstrated strong backing for the beneficial influence of servant leadership on leader-member exchange and job satisfaction. Furthermore, a positive correlation was established between leader-member exchange and job satisfaction among employees employed in Kuwait's private higher education sector. Moreover, the results partially validated the mediating effect of leader-member exchange in the relationship between servant leadership and employee job satisfaction. These results underscore the significance of integrating servant leadership principles into leadership approaches within this sector to improve employee satisfaction and overall organizational achievement.