Fairness Perceptions and Trust as Mediators on the Relationship Between Leadership Style, Unit Commitment, and Turnover Intentions of Canadian Forces Personnel

Abstract

Whether fairness perceptions and leader trust mediate the relationship between leadership style and commitment and turnover was evaluated among Canadian Forces personnel (N = 1,443). Correlational analyses and structural equation modeling results provided support for the proposed meditational model. However, the influence of transactional leadership on commitment and turnover was due to its direct influence on fairness perceptions, whereas the influence of transformational leadership on these outcomes was based on its direct and indirect influence on both fairness perceptions and leader trust. It thus appears that both types of leadership style influence commitment and turnover, but the mechanism through which their effects occur may be distinct. The implications of these findings for theory, research, and practice are discussed.

Notes

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as the official position of the Canadian Forces or the Department of National Defence.