Leadership Behaviors and Leader Effectiveness: The Mediating Role of Cultural Intelligence

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of cultural intelligence in the relationship between leadership behaviors and leadership effectiveness. A quantitative approach was adopted to test the hypotheses, and data were collected through surveys from 410 employees working in four- and five-star hotels in Istanbul. The analysis of the obtained data was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), regression analysis, and the PROCESS macro. The results of the analysis revealed that cultural intelligence has a mediating effect on the relationships between task-oriented leadership behaviors and leadership effectiveness, relationship-oriented leadership behaviors and leadership effectiveness, and change-oriented leadership behaviors and leadership effectiveness. In the globalized world, cultural diversity in businesses is increasing, which is especially pronounced in the hospitality industry. The fact that guests come from different cultural backgrounds further highlights the importance of leaders' cultural awareness and cultural intelligence. As a result, both academics and managers attach great importance to this issue. However, there are still significant gaps in understanding the relationship between cultural intelligence and leadership. In this context, the study aims to contribute to the literature on leadership and cultural intelligence.