Research on the Impact of Transformational Leadership Style on Knowledge Employee Loyalty in Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Enterprises : The Mediating Role of Psychological Contract and the Moderating Role of Exchange Ideology Yang, Hua

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

With the advent of the era of intelligent manufacturing and the knowledge economy, small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises are experiencing a growing demand for highly skilled knowledge employee. However, these enterprises face significant challenges in attracting and retaining such employees, including limited salary competitiveness and constrained career development opportunities. Leadership style, as a critical factor influencing employee behavior and attitudes, plays a pivotal role in enhancing employee loyalty and organizational stability. This thesis investigates the impact of transformational leadership style on the loyalty of knowledge employee in SMEs, aiming to provide practical guidance for talent management and leadership practices in these enterprises. This thesis combines literature review and empirical analysis, utilizing questionnaire surveys to collect data. Statistical tools such as SPSS and AMOS are employed for reliability and validity testing, multiple regression analysis, and mediation and moderation effect analyses. Based on the four dimensions of transformational leadership style (idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration), a theoretical model is constructed, and hypotheses are proposed. The thesis examines the mediating role of psychological contracts in the relationship between transformational leadership style and employee loyalty and analyzes the moderating effect of exchange ideology on the relationship between transformational leadership style and psychological contracts. The results indicate that transformational leadership style has a significant positive impact on the loyalty of knowledge employee, with psychological contracts serving as a mediating factor in this relationship. Furthermore, exchange ideology significantly moderates the relationship between transformational leadership style and psychological contracts. The findings provide important theoretical and practical implications for optimizing leadership strategies and enhancing employee loyalty in SMEs. Additionally, the thesis contributes to the theoretical enrichment of transformational leadership style and psychological contract frameworks, offering reference paths for SMEs to achieve sustainable development in competitive markets. Keywords: Small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, Transformational leadership style, Knowledge employee; Loyalty, Psychological contract; Exchange ideology

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Ⅰ. Introduction 1
• 1. Research Background1
• 2. Research Purpose and Research Significance 7
• 3. Research Content 9
• 4. Research Methods and Research Framework12
• 5. Research Innovations Points 15
• Ⅱ. Theoretical Foundation and Literature Review17
• 1. Theoretical Basis17
• 2. Review of Research on Knowledge Employee 24
• 3. Review of Research on Transformational Leadership Style 27
• 4. Review of Research on Loyalty45
• 5. Review of Research on Psychological Contract 55
• 6. Review of Research on Exchange Ideology63
• Ⅲ. Research Design 67
• 1. Proposition of Research Hypothesis 67
• 2. Construction of Research Model 82
• 3. Determination of the Scale85
• 4. Survey Design 90
• 5. Questionnaire Pre-survey91
• 6. Questionnaire Formal Questionnaire Distribution and Recovery 103
• Ⅳ. Empirical Analysis106
• 1. Descriptive Statistical Analysis 106
• 2. Confirmatory Factor Analysis 108
• 3. Correlation Analysis 112
• 4. Regression Analysis 113
• 5. Hypothesis Verification Result Analysis 132
• 6. Discussion 137
• 7. Relevant Suggestions on Improving the Loyalty of Knowledge
• Employee in Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing
• Enterprises 144
• Ⅴ. Conclusion and Prospects 160
• 1. Research Conclusion 160
• 2. Research Deficiencies and Prospects 164
• References167
• 한글초록 174
• Appendix. Questionnaire 175
• Acknowledgements 181