The impact of paternalistic leadership behaviour on organizational trust among healthcare professionals

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate the impact of paternalistic leadership on organizational trust among healthcare professionals in Turkey. As a starting point, it acknowledges that the impact of paternalistic leadership may vary depending on the cultural values of a given society. The study then offers the regression model between the variables among with implications of this relationship for healthcare management in Turkey. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study and face-to-face interviews were conducted at a private hospital group in Turkey. The study sample encompassed 329 employees. In data analysis and evaluations, frequency tables, central and prevalence criteria, Pearson's correlation test and simple linear regression analysis were employed and analysed in the SPSS 20 statistical package program. Results: A statistically significant and positive correlation was found between paternalistic leadership behaviour and organizational trust (r = 0.669, p = 0.000; R2 = 0.448). The analysis indicated that paternalistic leadership behaviour explained about 45% of the variance in organizational trust. Conclusion: In our study, it was found that paternalistic leadership behaviours are strongly related to organizational trust among healthcare professionals in Turkey. Paternalistic leadership, particularly in collectivist cultures with high power-distance structures, may yield to positive organizational outcomes.