Abstract
This study explores the link between transformational leadership, middle management, and employee satisfaction within a leading Saudi Arabian brand franchise operator in 2021. It investigates the connections between transformational middle management and employee satisfaction. Using the correlation approach, this study collected, categorized, and analyzed data to draw meaningful conclusions. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) assessed transformational leadership elements based on middle managers' self-ratings, while the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) measured employee satisfaction in Saudi Arabia's 2021 retail sector.
The research evaluated leadership behaviors and their correlation with employee satisfaction. Leaders often perceived themselves as demonstrating idealized influence and inspirational motivation. Intellectual stimulation varied, while individualized consideration had mixed results. Employee satisfaction displayed an overall positive trend. A moderate positive correlation was found between "Middle Managers' Self-Evaluation" and "Employee Satisfaction,"though causality was not confirmed. This research reaffirms the strong link between transformational leadership and job satisfaction, especially in the retail sector. It highlights the role of immediate supervisors in shaping job satisfaction and demonstrates the universal applicability of transformational leadership. However, contextual factors may influence this relationship. The nuanced effects of specific leadership facets on job satisfaction underscore organizational studies' complexity.
The study offers practical insights for leaders and academics, suggesting that promoting transformational leadership can enhance job satisfaction and organizational performance. This study suggests avenues for future research, including expanding demographic exploration, longitudinal studies, qualitative methods, comparative studies with other leadership styles, and investigations into the interplay between digital tools and transformational leadership in modern workplaces.