Leadership Style and Effectiveness Of Department Chairmen In Business Administration

Abstract

Much of the current thought and research on leadership effectiveness focuses on adaptive leadership rather than on one best leadership style. Fiedler's Contingency Model attempts to demonstate how effective leadership varies according to the specific situation. This study examines eight department chairmen's leadership situations and leadership styles as well as their departments' performance. Although the results do not appear to support some of Fiedler's contentions about leadership, the study shows that the Contingency Model may be adapted to coacting groups.