The Relationship between Organizational Support and Customer Orientation in Employees of Golestan Sport and Youth Offices

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between organizational support and customer orientation in employees of Golestan sport and youth offices. The population consisted of employees of Golestan sport and youth offices (N=203) in 2014. Sample size was determined by Cochran Table and stratified random sampling method (n=132). Finally, 125 questionnaires were returned. To collect data, Organizational Support Questionnaire developed by Yavas & Babakus (2009) and Customer Orientation Questionnaire developed by Donavan et al. (2004) were used. Internal consistency of the questionnaires was determined by Cronbach's alpha as 0.84 and 0.87 respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The findings showed a significant positive relationship between management support and employees’ customer orientation. Also, a significant positive relationship was observed between training and employees’ customer orientation. There was a significant positive relationship between rewarding and employee's customer orientation. Empowerment had a positive significant relationship with employees’ customer orientation. Among dimensions of organizational support, employees’ empowerment and rewarding had the ability to predict their customer orientation. It is recommended that the managers of Golestan Sport and Youth offices should provide a background for employee's customer orientation with a supportive atmosphere.