Üst Düzey Yöneticilerin Kariyer Faktörleri ve Firma Performansı: Üst Kademe Yaklaşımı Çerçevesinde Bir PLS-SEM İncelemesi

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Üst Kademe Teorisi çerçevesinde üst düzey yöneticilerin kariyerle ilişkili özelliklerinin şirket performansının farklı boyutlarına nasıl yansıdığını incelemektedir. Araştırma, Türkiye’de üst düzey yöneticilere uygulanan kesitsel bir anket verisine (n=345) dayanmakta ve ilişkileri PLS-SEM ile analiz etmektedir. Bulgular, yönetsel özelliklerin performansın tek bir alanına değil, farklı alanlarına farklı kanallarla etki ettiğine işaret etmektedir: liderlik yeterliği daha iyi operasyonel sonuçlarla; kişilik/girişimcilik yönelimi daha yüksek inovasyon kapasitesiyle; profesyonel ağlar pazarla ilişkili performansla; karar verme yeterliği kriz yönetimi ve sürdürülebilirlik çıktılarıyla; stratejik vizyon ise uzun vadeli finansal performansla ilişkilidir. Eğitim ve deneyim düzeyi de stratejik kararların doğruluğu ve etkinliğiyle bağlantılı görünmektedir. Ayrıca çocukluk dönemindeki olumlu girdilerin (spor, kitap okuma, sanat gibi) ileriki yönetimsel yeterliklerle olumlu ilişkisi varken, çocukluk travmalarının genel olarak “faydaya dönüşen” bir etkisi desteklenmemiştir. Bu çerçevede çalışma, yönetici seçimi ve geliştirme süreçlerinde karar kalitesi, liderlik, girişimcilik yönelimi, ağlar ve vizyon gibi kaldıraç noktalarına odaklanılabileceğini göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Üst Kademe Teorisi
• Liderlik,
• Kariyer Faktörleri
• Firma Performansı
• PLS-SEM
• MGA

Senior Executives’ Career Factors and Firm Performance: A PLS-SEM Examination within the Upper Echelons Perspective

Abstract

This study explores how senior executives’ career-related characteristics are reflected in firm performance through the lens of Upper Echelons Theory. It uses a cross-sectional survey of senior executives in Türkiye (n=345) and analyzes the relationships with PLS-SEM. The results suggest that different executive strengths tend to connect to different performance outcomes. Leadership capability is associated with better operational results, while personality and entrepreneurial orientation align with stronger innovation capacity. Professional networks relate to market-facing performance, and decision competence is linked with crisis management and sustainability outcomes. Strategic vision connects to long-run financial performance, and education plus experience are associated with more accurate and effective strategic decisions. The study also highlights that positive early-life inputs (such as sustained engagement in sports, reading, and arts) are related to later managerial competence, whereas a general. Overall, the findings indicate practical leverage points for firms in executive selection and development-especially around decision quality, leadership, innovation orientation, networks, and strategic vision.

Keywords

• Upper Echelons Theory
• Leadership
• Career Factors
• Firm Performance
• PLS-SEM
• MGA

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