Contingency Leadership Theories - Research Proposal Example

Research aim and objectives While the of leadership is very broad and a lot of literature is available on the four contingency leadership theories, Cognitive Resources theory has not been given much importance. This deals with the cognitive abilities of the leader and suggests that the leader is perceived to be a good leader because of his past experience and intelligence. Knowledge is fragmented and disorganized. No empirical evidence is available on how cognitive resources such as intelligence and experience are related to group performance. Hence the objective of the research is to determine whether: a. Leader behavior influences the satisfaction and performance of subordinates. b. Leader behavior influences co-operation and mutual trust. c. Substitutes make leader behavior unnecessary and redundant. d. Task commitment is due to formal reward. Research Methodology Research Philosophy Any decision is based on a body of knowledge which is produced through research. By applying the appropriate methodologies and the research method, the body of knowledge can be established and advanced with confidence. Research is basically a systematic method of investigation which increases knowledge. Research relies on facts and experience, data, concepts and constructs, hypotheses and conjectures, and principles and laws (Amaratunga, Baldry, Sarshar, & Newton, 2002). The ultimate purpose of this research is to add knowledge to the already existing body of knowledge, which would facilitate the right decision on the leadership that would suit the situation. Attempts will be made to reach a suitable conclusion to the objectives. Research Paradigm Although research has been considered important in every business activity, there is no consensus on how it should be carried out. There are different paradigms for research which are classified under qualitative or quantitative research. Amaratunga et al., suggest that research strategy should be chosen as a function of the research situation. Each strategy has its own approach to collect and interpret data and hence its strategy has its own advantages and disadvantages. As far as this research is concerned, the qualitative method or the inductive method of research is preferable because a lot of literature is available, with diverse opinions and it is essential to understand what is happening. Besides, topic, theory and methodology are closely interrelated. The deductive method would not bring to light the deeper, underlying meanings and explanations of the data collected. Taking large samples would be impractical and small studies over a period of time would help establish facts. It would enable to understand the totality of the situation and multiple methods can be used to establish different views of the phenomena. Leadership research is a conservative field and slow to innovate. Qualitative research on leadership has been based on single-case study and twenty-six of the studies employed this research design (Bryman, 2004). This led to multiple case studies and cross-sectional research design. The case study approach came under criticism as it a sample of one and hence there were concerns about generalizability. Multiple case studies allow comparison and enhance the researcher’s capacity for drawing theoretical inferences. Quantitative research on leadership is diverse and has addressed a wide range of research questions. Such research may give rise to problems concerned with measurement. Case studies on the other hand are inherently longitudinal and the researcher is able to view over time the kinds of impacts the leaders make. Case studies also provide a detailed sense of the context that forms the backcloth to the ways that leaders implement the change process. Qualitative research gives greater attention to the ways in which the leaders tend to be responsive to particular circumstances. Qualitative researchers are more sensitive to the implications of the particular circumstances for the leaders and their styles of leadership. Quantitative research tends to take into consideration leaders at various levels where as qualitative research focuses on senior leaders. Qualitative research investigates new forms of leadership and such research seldom makes reference to other qualitative research on leadership style and behavior. The results would then help organizations adjust as the ideas from the research emerge. The final result would contribute to theory generation. The main disadvantage in this is that data collection, analysis and interpretation can be tedious and difficult. The research would be carried out across different industries. Data collection and analysis methods The most widely used data collection method for the inductive approach in generating leadership theory is the case study approach as discussed above. Case-study approach is the ideal methodology when a holistic, in-depth investigation is required (cited by Tellis, 1997). Case studies bring out details from different view points and using multiple sources of data. Yakovleva and Flynn (2004) cite Robson who defines case study research as “a strategy for doing research which involves an empirical investigation of a particular contemporary phenomenon within its real context using multiple sources of evidence”. A case study approach enables a detailed knowledge about a particular case andhelps to understand the complexity of a single case and its activity within a defined set of circumstances. A case study approach is an empirical enquiry and empirical evidence is essential to come to a conclusion. Case studies are multi-perspectival analysis (Tellis). Additional help will be obtained from secondary data through literature review. A literature review provides the meaningful context of the project within the universe of already existing research (Obenzinger, 2005). It sets the basis for discussion or analysis or contemplation of implication and the necessity for further research. Analysis and interpretation is the major part of the research process. Grounded Theory Methods (GTM) is a valuable set of procedures of thinking theoretically about textual materials (LaRossa, 2005). The GTM is based on five basic principles which highlight the importance or words and language. It also lays significance on the empirical and conceptual comparisons, the value of thinking and how variables are linked. Grounded theory or tools of grounded theory can be used for leadership theory generation. As far as leadership research is concerned there are no set patterns for data analysis and most of the research has been influenced by the grounded theory. Hence this method would be used to analyze the data collected. The data would be segregated based on the research objectives and attempt made to obtain clarity. Expected outcome This research will bring clarity to the existing knowledge or the body of literature that already exists. The research would help in new theory generation as far as group performance is affected when intelligence and experience are used. It would helps organizations determine the strategy they need apply under different circumstances. Limitations There is no unique research method and each method has its own difficulties. Qualitative research method is known to have constraints as it tends to neglect the social and cultural construction of the variables studied. Case study is not sampling research. The major disadvantage of the case study approach is that it is not possible to draw generalizations. Besides, case studies tend to be selective, that is they focus on one or two issues that are fundamental to understanding the system. It is difficult to predict how many organizations would be willing to participate in the first place, and then how many would register true opinions. Very often, firms tend to conceal the true picture especially when their strategies fail. This research is proposed to be carried over a period of time and it is possible the same personnel may not be available for the second round of data collection thereby the opinions reflected may differ. People may not want to disagree with the top management and want to be seen as a part of the team. All the employees may not be able to be present at a time. References: Amaratunga, D., Baldry, D., Sarshar, M., & Newton, R., (2002), Quantitative and Qualitative Research in the built environment: application of mixed research approach, Work Study, Vol. 15 No. 1 2002, pp. 17-31 Bryman, A., (2004), Qualitative research on leadership: A critical but appreciative review, The Leadership Quarterly 15 (2004) 729–769 LaRossa, R., (2005), Grounded Theory Methods and Qualitative Family Research, Journal of Marriage and Family 67 (November 2005): 837–857 Obenzinger, H., (2005), What can a literature review do for me? 26 July 2007 Tellis, W., (1997), Application of a Case Study Methodology, 26 July 2007 Yakovleva, N., & Flynn, A., (2004), Innovation and the Food Supply Chain: a Case Study of Chicken, Economic and Social Research Council, . 26 July 2007 Read More