Authentic leadership and employee performance: mediating role of organizational commitment

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of authentic leadership (AL) on employee performance (EP) and to examine the mediating role of organizational commitment (OC). Design/methodology/approach: Data were obtained from all employees (216) of tourism agencies in Guilan province (Iran) using a 19-item survey. In total, 173 questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 80 percent. A mediation model was outlined and tested using structural equation modeling. Findings: The results showed that AL had a significant effect on EP and OC. The findings further demonstrated the significance of the relationship between OC and EP confirming the mediating role of OC. Practical implications: This study suggests that managers can promote OC and consequently EP by adopting an AL style. In addition, the managerial and theoretical foundations generated by this study can be considered a solution for improving EP. Originality/value: This study contributes to the EP literature by providing a plausible explanation of the mediating role of OC in connecting AL to EP.