The Mediating Role of Leadership in the Effect of Competitive Strategies on Firm Performance: A Research in Van Province

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of Porter’s Generic Competitive Strategies on firm performance, as well as the mediating role of Transformational and Transactional Leadership behaviors in this relationship. Data were collected through a questionnaire administered via face-to-face interviews with entrepreneurs and managers of SMEs operating in Van, with a total of 359 completed questionnaires evaluated. Regression analysis was conducted to test the validity of the hypotheses developed within the scope of the study. Direct and mediating relationships among variables were analyzed using Process Macro v4.0, an SPSS add-on. Mediation hypotheses were assessed following Hayes’ (2013) methodology. The findings indicate that competitive strategies positively influence firm performance and that leadership behaviors mediate this effect. Among the competitive strategies, cost leadership exhibited the strongest direct effect on firm performance. Mediation analysis revealed that transformational leadership enhances the positive effect of differentiation strategy on firm performance, while transactional leadership strengthens the positive impact of focus strategy on firm performance.

Keywords

• Competitive Strategies
• Transformational Leadership
• Transactional Leadership
• Competitive Advantage
• Firm Performance
• SME

Rekabet Stratejilerinin Firma Performansı Üzerindeki Etkisinde Liderliğin Aracılık Rolü: Van İlinde Bir Araştırma

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın temel amacı, Porter’ın Jenerik Rekabet Stratejilerinin firma performansına etkisini ve dönüştürücü ile işlemci liderlik davranışlarının bu etki üzerinde aracılık rolünü ortaya koymaktır. Araştırmada veri toplama yöntemi olarak anket kullanılmış ve Van ilinde faaliyet gösteren küçük ve orta büyüklükteki işletmelerin (KOBİ) girişimci ve yöneticileriyle yüz yüze görüşülerek 359 anket değerlendirmeye alınmıştır. Çalışma kapsamında geliştirilen hipotezlerin test edilmesinde regresyon analizleri gerçekleştirilmiş, değişkenler arasındaki doğrudan ve aracılık etkileri SPSS programına entegre edilen Process Makro v4.0 aracılığıyla analiz edilmiştir. Aracılık analizlerinde Hayes (2013) tarafından geliştirilen yöntem kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular, genel olarak rekabet stratejilerinin firma performansı üzerinde olumlu bir etkiye sahip olduğunu ve liderlik davranışlarının bu etkiyi aracılık yoluyla güçlendirdiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Özellikle, maliyet liderliği stratejisinin firma performansı üzerinde en yüksek doğrudan etkiye sahip olduğu belirlenmiştir. Aracılık analizleri sonucunda, dönüştürücü liderlik davranışlarının farklılaştırma stratejisiyle etkileşim içerisinde firma performansını olumlu yönde etkilediği; işlemci liderlik davranışlarının ise odaklanma stratejisi ile bütünleşerek firma performansına katkı sağladığı tespit edilmiştir.

Keywords

• Rekabet Stratejileri
• Dönüştürücü Liderlik
• İşlemci Liderlik
• Rekabet Avantajı
• Firma Performansı
• KOBİ

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