🧠 Journal Summary: Impact of Servant Leadership on Perceived Organizational Support

🧠 Journal Summary: Impact of Servant Leadership on Perceived Organizational Support of Employees in Manufacturing Industries and Educational Institution

Authors: Pradeep Kumar Shetty, P. Krishnananda Rao and Raghavendra C. Kamath Published In: Cogent Business & Management (2022)

🔍 Study Summary

This study investigated how servant leadership influences the perceived organizational support among employees in both manufacturing industries and educational institutions in India. The research aimed to determine if a relationship or correlation exists between these two concepts and to fill a gap in existing literature regarding this specific connection in the Indian context. Using a descriptive and correlational design, data was collected through questionnaires from full-time employees, including managers, engineers, officers, and teaching faculty.

💡 Key Concepts

• Servant Leadership: A leadership style where the leader prioritizes serving their followers, fostering their growth and well-being. It is characterized by five dimensions:
  • Altruistic Calling: The leader’s desire to positively impact others’ lives.
  • Emotional Healing: The ability to recognize and help resolve emotional issues within the organization.
  • Wisdom: Learning from surroundings and understanding impacts on individuals and the organization.
  • Persuasive Mapping: Envisioning a mental framework that creates opportunities for the organization.
  • Organizational Stewardship: Guiding the organization to contribute positively to society through community development and outreach.
• Perceived Organizational Support (POS): An employee’s general belief that their organization values their contributions and cares about their well-being. It is influenced by organizational rewards, job conditions, and perceived fairness, and includes aspects like the organization caring about employee opinions, goals, values, and providing help when needed.

📊 Key Insights

• The study found high levels of both servant leadership and perceived organizational support among employees in manufacturing industries and educational institutions.
• Independent sample tests indicated that the servant leadership approach and perceived organizational support are similar for employees in both manufacturing industries and educational institutions.
• Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed a strong, solid association between servant leadership and perceived organizational support for employees in both sectors.
• The research highlights that employees in these sectors strongly experience both servant leadership and perceived organizational support.
• There is a strong relationship between servant leadership and perceived organizational support among employees in manufacturing industries and educational institutions.

📘 Example Application

Imagine a large technology company that is experiencing high employee turnover and low morale. By implementing a servant leadership approach, where managers focus on the growth and well-being of their teams (e.g., providing mentorship, actively listening to concerns, and empowering decision-making), the company could significantly enhance perceived organizational support.

This might lead to employees feeling more valued and cared for, resulting in increased job satisfaction, stronger commitment to the organization, and ultimately, a reduction in turnover and an improvement in overall productivity.

For instance, a manager could offer flexible work arrangements based on employee feedback, or initiate skill-development programs tailored to individual career aspirations, thereby demonstrating organizational support in tangible ways.

💬 Comment from Dr. Dwi Suryanto

The findings of this study are significant because they underscore the universal importance of leadership that genuinely cares for its people. In a world where employee well-being and retention are crucial, understanding that servant leadership fosters a strong sense of organizational support is invaluable.

This research provides a clear message to leaders across industries: prioritizing your employees’ needs and development isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s a strategic advantage that can profoundly impact organizational success and create a more positive work environment.

📌 Takeaway

Servant leadership is strongly linked to employees feeling supported by their organization, demonstrating that a focus on serving others is a powerful strategy for fostering a positive and effective workplace in diverse sectors. This approach can lead to enhanced employee well-being, increased commitment, and improved overall organizational performance.