Servant leadership characteristics, organisational commitment, followers’ trust, employees’ performance outcomes : a literature review

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the findings relating to the impact of servant leadership on employee performance, organizational commitment, and employee trust in leaders. Design/Mathodology/approach: We conducted a systematic literature review (SLR). This study contributes to the development of servant leadership theory and practice in relation to organizational commitment, followers’ trust, and employees’ performance outcomes. In addition, this study contributes to the methodology for conducting SLRs in the field of management. The investigated previous studies are from different authors and different countries. Findings: The findings suggest future research in using the same variable of servant leadership impact towards performance organization and mediation culture organization. This study also suggests that organizational commitment, trust, employee performance, and organization culture are impacted by servant leadership. In looking at the many previous studies on organizational culture from around the world, it is rare for literature to examine the relationship between servant leadership and employee performance outcomes. Practical Implications: Servant leadership is a compelling topic to study because, in this leadership style, leaders give priority to the people they lead. This style of leadership is also unique because most humans tend to prioritize their own interests. Servant leadership creates organizational commitment and followers’ trust in their leadership. Originality/Value: The research literature on servant leadership links this style of leadership with organizational commitment and trust. Several studies have concluded that servant leadership significantly generates organizational commitment and trust.