The Effect of Conscientious Leadership on Organizational Trust and Organizational Commitment: Evidence from the Turkish Aviation Sector

Abstract

Purpose – In an era characterized by globalization, technological transformation, and intense competitive pressures, the role of managers in ensuring the sustainability of enterprises has become more crucial than ever. Leaders who guide their organizations toward strategic objectives influence not only operational processes but also play a critical role in shaping attitudes and behaviors toward the organization both within and beyond the organizational boundaries. In this context, conscientious leadership behaviors demonstrated by managers as role models not only enhance their own levels of trust and commitment but also contribute to the organization as a whole. The central focus of this study is to examine the effects of conscientious leadership practices on organizational trust and organizational commitment. Accordingly, the purpose of the research is to empirically determine the impact of conscientious leadership behaviors on organizational trust and organizational commitment among middle- and senior-level managers working in the Turkish aviation sector.
Design/methodology/approach – This study was conducted using a quantitative research design. Data were collected from a total of 391 middle- and senior-level managers working in the Turkish aviation sector through online survey forms administered via Google Forms and face-to-face questionnaires. The sample included managers employed in airline companies, airport operators, ground handling service providers, and various affiliated subsystems within these organizations. The sample was formed using a convenience sampling method based on the voluntary participation of managers working in different units of the sector. The statistical analyses of the collected data were performed using the SPSS 24.0 software package.
Results – The results indicated that all measurement scales demonstrated satisfactory levels of reliability, with overall internal consistency values exceeding the acceptable threshold (Cronbach’s Alpha > 0,70). In addition, the factor structures of the measurement scales were examined using exploratory factor analysis, and the results indicated that the scales exhibited valid and reliable factor structures. The correlation analysis revealed statistically significant and positive relationships between conscientious leadership and organizational trust (r = 0,240), as well as between conscientious leadership and organizational commitment (r = 0,222), at the p < 0,001 significance level. These findings suggest that as managers’ conscientious leadership levels increase, perceptions of organizational trust and commitment also rise to some extent, although the strength of these relationships remains relatively modest. Regression analyses further demonstrated that conscientious leadership has a significant effect on both organizational trust and organizational commitment (p < 0,001). According to the t-test results, no significant differences were found in conscientious leadership, organizational trust, or organizational commitment with respect to gender or marital status (p > 0,05). In contrast, the ANOVA results indicated that managers with associate degrees exhibited significantly higher levels of organizational commitment compared to those with graduate degrees (p < 0,05).
Discussion – In the aviation sector, which is characterized by high stress levels, intensive customer interaction, and labor-intensive operational processes, the conscientious leadership behaviors exhibited by managers can play a significant role in enhancing organizational trust and organizational commitment. By examining the relationship between conscientious leadership, organizational trust, and organizational commitment from the perspective of managers rather than employees, the study fills an important gap in the literature and offers a new insight into how leadership is shaped by leaders’ internal value orientations. In this regard, the research contributes to the theoretical development of the conscientious leadership literature, while also providing practical insights that can guide managerial practices in the aviation sector—particularly in building trust, strengthening commitment, and fostering more inclusive leadership approaches.