Employees' Perceptions of Managerial Transformational Leadership Behaviors and Effectiveness Among Information Technology Managers

Employees’ Perceptions of Managerial Transformational Leadership Behaviors and Effectiveness Among Information Technology Managers by Olusesan Ogunsakin MS, University of Ottawa, 2007 BS, Obafemi Awolowo University, 1994 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University June 2015 Abstract The selection of effective leaders is critical to improving organizations’ performance in the current dynamic global business landscape; however, the inadequacy of leadership selection criteria in many organizations had led to an increase in the rate of chief executive officers’ dismissals within the last 3 decades in the United States. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between employees’ assessments of their managers’ transformational leadership behaviors and employees’ perceptions of managerial leadership effectiveness for improved leadership selection. Bass’ transformational leadership theory and Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory guided the study with data gathered, using an online survey, from randomly selected information technology professionals employed at telecommunication service companies located in the State of New Jersey (n = 190). Data analysis using a multiple linear regressions indicated a statistically significant relationship between managers’ transformational leadership behaviors and employees’ perceptions of managerial leadership effectiveness, F(5, 184) = 237.578, p < . 0005, and R = 0.866. The final model indicated that each of the 5 predictors examined that represented managers’The selection of effective leaders is critical to improving organizations’ performance in the current dynamic global business landscape; however, the inadequacy of leadership selection criteria in many organizations had led to an increase in the rate of chief executive officers’ dismissals within the last 3 decades in the United States. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between employees’ assessments of their managers’ transformational leadership behaviors and employees’ perceptions of managerial leadership effectiveness for improved leadership selection. Bass’ transformational leadership theory and Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory guided the study with data gathered, using an online survey, from randomly selected information technology professionals employed at telecommunication service companies located in the State of New Jersey (n = 190). Data analysis using a multiple linear regressions indicated a statistically significant relationship between managers’ transformational leadership behaviors and employees’ perceptions of managerial leadership effectiveness, F(5, 184) = 237.578, p < . 0005, and R = 0.866. The final model indicated that each of the 5 predictors examined that represented managers’ transformational leadership behaviors were statistically significant in predicting employees’ perceptions of managerial leadership effectiveness. The results of this study may have implications for social change by providing information for business executives to improve leadership selection criteria. Adopting the findings from this study might increase effective leaders who proactively align organization’s vision with societal expectations, thus improving an organization’s public perceptions and financial outlook. Employees’ Perceptions of Managerial Transformational Leadership Behaviors and Effectiveness Among Information Technology Managers by Olusesan Ogunsakin MS, University of Ottawa, 2007 BS, Obafemi Awolowo University, 1994 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University June 2015 Dedication I dedicate this research paper and the entire doctoral program to the glory of God, who has guided me through the entire journey, and to the memory of my late parents, who taught me to be strong and aim high in every area of my life. Acknowledgments I wish to give thanks to my wonderful family for all their inspirational, emotional, and physical support during the doctoral program. The strength and encouragement to undertake this doctoral study came from them; without my family, this program would not have happened. I also wish to acknowledge many people GOD raised up to help and guide me along the way, especially when I almost gave up. I will also like to acknowledge exceptional guidance I received from my mentors, beginning with Dr. Patricia D’Urso, who provided the groundwork for this study and chaired the study committee at the onset. Many thanks to my committee chair, Dr. Mohamad Saleh Hammoud for his kind words of encouragement, proficiency, and paying attention to every detail. Without Dr. Hammoud’s constant thorough approach on quality, this study would have been impossible. My sincere appreciation also goes to my other committee member, Dr. Ify Diala, for constantly ensuring strict adherence to the rubrics. Dr. Al Endres provided an excellent methodological review of this paper and clear explanations of changes required at every point of the process. Final appreciation goes to the university reviewer, Dr. Yvette Ghormley, for excellent critique and ensuring that the overall quality of the paper meets Walden University’s standards.