Impact of Leadership Styles on the Organizational Commitment of Medical Practitioners: The Moderating Effects of Workplace Stress

The healthcare system is now facing several problems, which demands managers and leaders learning from various leadership styles and staff empowerment techniques to establish a work environment that supports medical practitioners' dedication to patients and their company. The present study aims to examine the leadership styles and organizational commitment of medical practitioners at the Melaka State Health Department [Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Melaka (JKNM)], Malaysia, and the influence of workplace stress. In particular, this study explored the moderating effects of workplace stress on the association between leadership styles and organizational commitment among medical practitioners. The study used a quantitative approach based on the Social Exchange Theory by Homans and Lewin’s Person-Environment Fit Model. The survey involved questionnaires distributed to obtain data from 309 medical practitioners. The data collected were analyzed using description means and hierarchical regression. The results revealed a significant correlation and moderating effect of workplace stress on leadership styles (i.e., Transformational Leadership, Transactional Leadership, and Laissez-Faire Leadership) and organizational commitment among JKNM medical practitioners. This paper also considered the theoretical and practical implications and made recommendations for future research.