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Enhancing prosocial behavior in the aviation industry through responsible leadership and importance of ethics and social responsibility: examining a moderated mediation model

Osman Seray Özkan (Private Security and Protection Department, Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University, Balikesir, Turkey)
Seval Aksoy Kürü (Balikesir University, Balikesir, Turkey)
Burcu Üzüm (Distance of Education Department, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey)
Önder Ulu (Production Quality Control Department, Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey)

Leadership & Organization Development Journal

ISSN: 0143-7739

Article publication date: 26 December 2023

Issue publication date: 26 March 2024

659

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this research, which uses the theories of social identity and social exchange, is to investigate the relationship between responsible leadership, prosocial behavior and the mediating role of psychological ownership in this relationship. In addition, the moderating role of ethical and social responsibility in the relationship between responsible leadership and psychological ownership is tested in the study.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of the research consists of 246 participants who work full-time at İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport in ground handling services (GHS). The convenience sampling method was used in the research, and the research data were collected by the face-to-face survey method. The hypotheses of the research were tested with the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) and SPSS Process Macro.

Findings

According to the results, it was determined that responsible leadership affects prosocial behavior positively and significantly, and psychological ownership plays a mediating role in this relationship. In addition, the moderating effect of ethical and social responsibility on the relationship between responsible leadership and psychological ownership was determined. When ethical and social responsibility is perceived as high by the employees, it was revealed that the conditional indirect effect of responsible leadership on prosocial behavior through psychological ownership was strong.

Research limitations/implications

When responsible leadership encourages employees to take psychological ownership, they are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior. This study contributes to the field by evaluating the structures discussed with social identity and social exchange theory. In the management practice of organizations, responsible leadership should be strengthened and training should be given to develop responsible leadership.

Originality/value

In the literature review, it was observed that although there are studies conducted with responsible leadership, the concept was not examined with prosocial behavior, and it was not studied in the aviation sector, which has become indispensable for the world economy. With these features, the study distinguishes itself from others and constitutes a source of motivation for researchers.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Associate Editor Professor Martin McCracken and two anonymous reviewers for their helpful guidance and advice throughout the revision process.

Since submission of this article, the following author(s) have updated their affiliations: Seval Aksoy Kürü is at the Psychology-Social Psychology Department, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Citation

Özkan, O.S., Aksoy Kürü, S., Üzüm, B. and Ulu, Ö. (2024), "Enhancing prosocial behavior in the aviation industry through responsible leadership and importance of ethics and social responsibility: examining a moderated mediation model", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 45 No. 2, pp. 208-230. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-10-2022-0481

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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