Transformational leadership, perceived support, organizational commitment, and union citizenship behavior: The effect of cultural diversity

A substantial body of scholarly literature exists demonstrating the elevation of positive citizenship behavior in the presence of transformational leaders. A smaller but no less significant amount of research has suggested that union citizenship behavior, a specific form of organizational citizenship behavior, is elevated in the presence of transformational leadership and enhances member commitment and perceptions of support. Utilizing an international sample comprised of unionized airline pilots, this study sought to explore the relationship between transformational leadership, discretionary citizenship behaviors, perceived organizational support, organizational commitment, and the effect stated cultural affinity has on these factors. The results of this study indicate that while a transformational leadership style may incidentally elevate follower commitment and perceived support, it was not found to be a positive predictor of union citizenship behavior. Further, the results suggest that organizational commitment and perceived support are more positively related to perceptions of leadership than leadership style itself. Therefore, union members may engage in constructive union citizenship behaviors irrespective of leadership style, provided commitment and positive perceptions of leader and organizational support exist. The results of this research also demonstrated that cultural affinity did not greatly influence perceptions of leadership or levels of perceived support, organizational commitment, or engagement in union citizenship behaviors. Keywords: Transformational leadership, perceived support, organizational commitment, union citizenship behavior, cultur