Abstract

This article is specifically concerned with an exploration of the effect of paternalistic leadership (benevolent) on both organisational commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour in five government hospitals in Saudi Arabia: thirty-two from King Fahad Hospital; fifty-one from King Abdel Aziz University Hospital; twenty-five from King Faisal Specialist Hospital; and eleven from King Khalid Hospital. In light of the findings of previous research studies, this article argues that there exists a positive correlation between paternalistic leadership and both organisational commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour. The outcome of this study indicates that benevolent leadership has a positive influence on organisational commitment and citizenship behaviours. Furthermore, it is shown that benevolent leadership has a beneficial impact on the normative commitment of the employees at work. However, no relationship has been identified between benevolent leadership and either the affective commitment or continuance commitment of employees. It is concluded that paternalistic leadership (benevolent) has a positive effect on helping behaviour, civic virtue, and sportsmanship.