The Impact of Leadership Styles on Job Satisfaction: A Study of The Hospitality Industry

Abstract

Job satisfaction is considered as an important factor in terms of reducing employee absenteeism and intention to quit. It can be clearly seen based on the findings of previous studies that job satisfaction has a specific role in in hospitality management. The literature on the hospitality industry emphasizes that appropriate leadership styles should be applied to maximize the job satisfaction of hotel employees. In order to further the understanding of the factors affecting job satisfaction and to expand the literature for the hospitality industry, a conceptual model has been developed that includes structural relationships between leadership styles and job satisfaction. Regression analysis was used to experimentally test the developed model. The data were obtained from employees of five-star hotels operating in Alanya, Turkey (N=311). As a result of the research, it has been determined that transformational and transactional leadership positively affects job satisfaction, whereas laissez-faire leadership has no effect on job satisfaction. While our research will enable a more in-depth understanding of the antecedents of job satisfaction, managerial suggestions for improving the service quality in hotels will be made, which will enhance the awareness amongst managers.