Leadership Strategies and Employee Performance Within Small Business

Leadership Strategies and Employee Performance Within Small Business by Letica Carla Sellers MS, Walden University, 2013 BS, Francis Marion University, 2006 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University March 2017 Abstract The survival of the small business industry is important to the United Sates workforce and economy. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore leadership strategies of 2 small business managers in a manufacturing setting who had a demonstrable record of improving employee performance to meet organizational goals. The conceptual framework for this study was Burns and Bass’s transformational leadership theory. The small business managers were from 2 small manufacturing plants in the coastal plains region of South Carolina. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, archival documents, and observations of the managers during their daily activities. Data analysis included identifying relevant themes using the comparison method. Data were compared at each phase of the data collection process, revealing themes of following a vision, self-efficacy, self-determination, and need fulfillment. Findings suggest that other small business managers in similar contexts may improve employee performance using the transformational leadership approach, especially when employee encouragement, managerial experience, and adaptation are present. Small business managers and owners can benefit from the study results by using these findings to improve employee performance.The survival of the small business industry is important to the United Sates workforce and economy. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore leadership strategies of 2 small business managers in a manufacturing setting who had a demonstrable record of improving employee performance to meet organizational goals. The conceptual framework for this study was Burns and Bass’s transformational leadership theory. The small business managers were from 2 small manufacturing plants in the coastal plains region of South Carolina. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, archival documents, and observations of the managers during their daily activities. Data analysis included identifying relevant themes using the comparison method. Data were compared at each phase of the data collection process, revealing themes of following a vision, self-efficacy, self-determination, and need fulfillment. Findings suggest that other small business managers in similar contexts may improve employee performance using the transformational leadership approach, especially when employee encouragement, managerial experience, and adaptation are present. Small business managers and owners can benefit from the study results by using these findings to improve employee performance. Leadership Strategies and Employee Performance Within Small Business by Letica Carla Sellers MS, Walden University, 2013 BS, Francis Marion University, 2006 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University March 2017 Dedication I dedicate this study to the small business community and future entrepreneurs. Acknowledgments To my dedicated family: Thank you for your patience and support throughout this process. To my son, I love you and hope one day you understand why I was always on the computer. I know I was not alone on this journey and want to thank you all for your belief in me. To my coworkers: Your support, encouragement, and understanding have allowed me to complete this journey. Each day you all challenged me and helped me remain focused. To my committee members: Dr. Janet Booker, Dr. Denise Land, and Dr. Mary Dereshiwsky. Without your help, I would have been lost. Dr. Booker this journey took me longer that I anticipated but thank you for your time and advise.