The Role of Management by Walking Around as a Mediating Variable between Employee Trust and Organizational Performance in the Palestinian Ministry of Transport and Communications

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the role of Management by Walking Around (MBWA) as a mediating variable between employee trust and organizational performance in the Palestinian Ministry of Transportation. The researcher employed a descriptive correlational approach. The study population consisted of 273 employees in the directorates of the Palestinian Ministry of Transportation in the northern governorates (Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Nablus, and Tubas). The sample included 163 employees, selected using a stratified random sampling method proportional to the population. The key findings of the study revealed a statistically significant partial mediating effect of MBWA in the relationship between employee trust and organizational performance. A positive effect was found between employee trust and all dimensions of organizational performance, as well as between MBWA and all dimensions of organizational performance. The level of employee trust was high, with a response rate of 74.9%; organizational performance was high at 74.3%, and the practice of MBWA was also high at 76.9%. Additionally, the study found no statistically significant differences at the significance level (α ≥ 0.05) in employee trust in the Palestinian Ministry of Transportation attributable to demographic variables (gender, years of service, or job title). However, differences were found in relation to educational qualifications, favoring diploma holders. There were also no statistically significant differences in organizational performance or MBWA practice attributable to demographic variables (gender, educational qualification, years of service, or job title). The study concluded with several recommendations, including enhancing integrity values by launching a training program focused on professional ethics among employees, improving the use of databases to update information available to employees, and increasing the effectiveness of MBWA through the use of regular field reports.