The Impact of Leadership Styles on Performance and Mediating Effect of Organizational Culture: A Study in Flight Schools

Abstract

Nowadays, the aviation sector is growing rapidly and the need for human resources in the airline industry is increasing. In order to meet the increasing pilot need, the number of flight schools and universities that provide pilot training with the support of relevant authorities is also increasing. This increase in the number of student pilots is accompanied by questions about how to ensure the continuity of quality and safety in flight training. In this context, it is very important for the flight schools to evaluate the variables that may affect the student pilot performance and to take the necessary precautions. In our study teacher leadership and organizational culture are assessed as important variables and examined. In aviation literature, there is a very small number of explanatory studies on flight performance and leadership. Additionally, no study has been found on teacher leadership of student pilots. In this context, how leadership styles affect student pilots' performances positively and negatively was investigated in our research. Organizational culture is considered as an important predictor of performance in today's organizations. In this context, it has emerged that studies have been carried out that the organizational culture is an important variable in improving organizational and individual performance. Leadership styles of teacher pilots and organizational culture have been explored in the student pilots’ performance process. In this context, our work has included performance, leadership styles and organizational culture. Regarding the methodology part of this study, 151 student pilots in the flight training organizations formed the universe and a survey was conducted, analysed and explained. Considering the effect of dynamic leadership, the present study analysed the impact of leadership and culture on flight performance. It is assumed that the most effective leadership styles can be found within group dynamics consisting of members who have diverse and individual cultural orientations. Individual differences that are caused by cultural norms can be considered as the outcomes of leadership behaviour. It was concluded that flight crew leadership cannot be analysed without considering the culture variable since behaviour is influenced by both individual and environmental factors. Moreover, since the performance outcomes of the crew resource management were evaluated, the cultural attitude of the crew and leader was considered.