The Structural Relationship between Empowering Leadership, Core Self-Evaluations, and Service Oriented Citizenship Behaviors: Focused on the Customer Contact Employees in Local Medium Sized Healthcare Organizations

Abstract

Recently, considerable research has suggested that empowering leadership (EPL) and core self evaluation (CSE) are expected to enhance subordinate work motivation and performance through delegating authority for job-related decisions. However, the relative contribution of the two constructs to service oriented citizenship behaviors intentions (SOCBI) has been left almost untouched. Using a sample of 205 medical workers engaged in local medium-sized healthcare organizations of Kyungnam province and Pusan city in Korea, this study surveyed the relationship between variables of EPL and SOCBI with CSE as a mediator. Our hypotheses were tested using statistical analysis of the data after establishing the psychometric properties of the scales. The reliability of the scales was verified by Cronbach’s α. Two antecedent latent variables in this study are significantly correlated to SOCBI. Specifically, CSE was also proven to partially mediate the effects between EPL and SOCBI. Thus, this study not only provides further support for the positive impact of EPL and CSE on SOCBI, but the positive meditating role of CSE on SOCBI of medical workers who take part in caring for patients.