The effect of lean leadership on workload and job satisfaction: the moderating effect of workload and gender.

Purpose: The first aim of this study is to determine the effect of lean leadership on the workload and job satisfaction of healthcare workers, and the second aim is to reveal the moderating role of workload and employee gender in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach: In this study, we created a comprehensive model to determine the effect of lean leadership on the workload and job satisfaction of healthcare employees and to reveal the moderating role of workload and employee gender in this relationship. We collected 1,207 valid questionnaires among Turkish health workers.

Findings: The results indicate that: (1) Lean leadership reduces perceived workload, (2) Lean leadership increases job satisfaction, (3) Workload moderates the effect of lean leadership on job satisfaction and (4) Employee gender moderates the effect of lean leadership on job satisfaction and workload. These findings have provided theoretical and practical suggestions for reducing the workload and increasing the job satisfaction of healthcare employees. Finally, we will make some suggestions for the future.

Research limitations/implications: As with other studies, there are some limitations in this study. The data used in this study were collected in Turkey. Turkish culture has a more collectivist culture than Western countries (Koksal 2011). In addition, the research was carried out with the participation of health employees. Due to Turkish cultural characteristics and the characteristics of health services, the generalization of research results may be limited. Therefore, it is recommended that the research be repeated across different cultures and different sectors to determine whether our results are culture-specific, sector-specific or generalized.

Practical implications: Healthcare managers can reduce the perception of employees' workload by showing lean leadership behavior. Healthcare managers can increase their job satisfaction by valuing employees, inviting them to participate in business processes and providing them with the resources they need.

Social implications: In order to maintain and increase health workers' job satisfaction, we recommend that health managers should ensure fair job sharing. In addition, health managers should take into account that female employees are more sensitive about the workload.

Originality/value: This research is the first study to examine the effect of lean leadership behavior on healthcare professionals' workload perception and job satisfaction. Therefore, it offers important theoretical and practical implications.