Does transformational leadership style influence employees\u27 attitudes toward food safety practices?

The objectives of this study were to examine whether transformational leadership style (TL) and organizational climate (OC) impact employees\u27 attitudes and intentions to follow safe food handling practices. We also set out to investigate the moderating effect of food safety certification on the relationships among TL, OC, and employees\u27 attitudes and intentions to follow food safety practices in restaurants. Questionnaires were distributed to restaurants in one state. Structural equation modeling techniques and multiple group analysis were used. The results of this study indicate that TL did not impact employees\u27 attitudes and intentions. However, TL significantly impacted CC, and CC significantly impacted employees\u27 attitudes and intentions to follow safe food handling practices; additionally, employees\u27 attitudes significantly impacted intentions to perform safe food handling practices. Furthermore, the moderating effect of food safety certification on the relationships among TL, CC, and employees\u27 attitudes and intentions was also significant. The results of this study not only provide a theoretical framework but also present more detailed diagnostic information regarding the impact of TL and CC on employees\u27 attitudes and intentions to follow safe food handling practices. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved