The Mediating Role of Perceived Organizational Support in the Relationship Between Leader-Member Exchange and Organizational Identification Perception

Abstract

Purpose - This study was planned to demonstrate the power of the “Leader-Member Exchange” approach, which values the quality of relationships between school administrators and teachers in educational institutions where teachers' ideas are respected, and teachers can integrate with their institutions. In this context, the aim of the study is to investigate whether the "Perceived Organizational Support" levels of teachers have a mediating effect on the relationship between the "Leader-Member Exchange" approach exhibited by school administrators and the "Organizational Identification Perception" of teachers. Design/methodology/approach - The research data was collected from teachers working in private high schools in Ankara via e-survey method in June-July 2023. The "Cronbach’s Alpha" coefficients calculated for the reliability of the research scales were found to be quite high for this sample. Structural equation modeling was used in the testing of the research hypotheses and the mediation effect. Findings - As a result of the analyses, it was observed that the effect of the independent variable “Leader-Member Exchange” on the dependent variable “Organizational Identification Perception” was statistically significant and had a positive effect. At the same time, it was shown that the relationships between the quality level of the “Leader-Member Exchange” approach and “Organizational Identification Perception” were statistically significant and had a positive effect. In addition, it was proven that the variable “Perceived Organizational Support” had a complementary partial mediating role in the relationships between the independent variable “Leader-Member Exchange” and the dependent variable “Organizational Identification Perception”. Discussion - Theoretical relationships between research variables are seen to be shaped exactly as described by Social Exchange Theory. In addition, evidence has been reached that employees' exchange-based interaction within the scope of communication with organizations and leaders and the organization's material and moral contributions increases their exchange with their institutions. Therefore, employees who feel that the contributions of the institution have increased will not only respond with increased effort but will also integrate with their institutions.