Transformational Leadership and Organisational Citizenship Behavior in the Public Sector in South Korea: The Mediating Role of Affective Commitment

Abstract

Using a sample of full-time employees of a public sector organisation in South Korea, this study examines whether transformational leadership (TL) has a significant positive effect on affective commitment (AC) and organisational citizenship behavior (OCB), and whether AC is positively related to OCB. The study also examines whether AC mediates the effects of TL on OCB. The results of higher-order structural equation modeling indicate a positive relationship between TL and AC; no significant relationship between TL and OCB; and a significant positive relationship between AC and OCB. Thus, the results clearly demonstrate that AC fully mediates the relationship between TL and OCB. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed, and proposals for future research are made.

Key Words:

• Transformational leadership
• affective commitment
• organisational citizenship behaviour

Acknowledgement

This study was financially supported by Chonnam National University, 2010.