Dissertation on Role of Leadership

Dissertation - Modification
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ABSTRACT
Leadership has and remains to be one of the most critical and important aspects of
effective and efficient business management. In developed countries, such as the United States of
America and the United Kingdom, there is much evidence of greater productivity than in
developing countries such as Pakistan. Leadership, being the most vital and important part of
successful management, is considered to be different in the developed countries in comparison
with the developing countries, which raises the question, what essentially is the difference
between the leadership in organizations operating in the developing countries in contrast and
comparison with the leadership and management of employees of an organization operating in
the developing countries? This study aims to find out, firstly, the correlation and link between
productivity and leadership, secondly, if there is any substantial difference between the
leadership in the developed world and the developing world and if there is, what is the difference
and how does it affect an organization’s productivity? The study also narrates ways in which
higher levels of productivity can be achieved by implementing changes in the leadership
approach, narrating incidences where this has proven to be successful. The present dissertation
is focused on the effectiveness of the project and the role of leadership. Further the report
suggest that the most important aspect for the success of any project is the leadership involved in
it, as the leader is the one on whom, the success or failure of the project is dependent. A good
workforce has a good leader, and a poor workforce has a poor leader. The study outline why
leadership is ineffective in developing nation as compared to that of developed one. For carrying
out the study, qualitative methods have been used. Data was collected by using primary and
secondary methods. Secondary data was gathered from books, journals and published reports.
Overall, the purpose of this research is to derive a reason through qualitative data as to why
businesses operating in developing countries such as Pakistan are less successful than businesses
operating in developed nations. Furthermore, the research will draw a link between leadership
and its impact on the success of a project or a firm. Additionally, research shows that there is a
vast gap between the leadership styles adopted by leaders in developing countries, be it
economically or politically, and those employed in the developed nations.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank my parents, for showing immense patience and support and my
instructor, for guiding me and leading me in a manner that, according to me, maximized my
productivity. I would like to express my heart filled gratitude to my mentor who encouraged me
and provide best guidance as per its wisdom and understanding. At last and not least I owe a big
thanks to my team members who assisted me in collecting the important data for the research and
its analysis.
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TABLE OF CONTENT
ABSTRACT................................................................................................................... 2
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................................................................. 3
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................... 6
1.1. Background of the research............................................................................. 6
1.2 Research problem............................................................................................. 7
1.3 Chapter structure ............................................................................................. 7
1.4 Aim and objective.............................................................................................. 8
1.5 Research question ............................................................................................ 9
1.6 Purpose of the research.................................................................................... 9
1.7 Significance of the research ...........................................................................10
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................11
2.1 Introduction..................................................................................................... 11
2.2 Globalization and Project Management...........................................................12
2.3 Cultural Aspects in Context of Globalization and Project Management...........13
2.3 Impact of Leadership in Success of Project Management................................15
2.4 Difference in Practices of Transnational Company in Developed or Developing
Countries............................................................................................................... 16
2.5. Contingency/Situational Approach.................................................................21
2.6. The other Leadership Approaches..................................................................22
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.................................................................23
3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................... 23
3.2 Research Philosophy....................................................................................... 24
3.3 Research design.............................................................................................. 25
3.4 Research Approach......................................................................................... 25
3.5 Research type................................................................................................. 26
3.6 Data collection methods.................................................................................. 26
3.7 Sampling techniques....................................................................................... 27
3.8 Data analysis .................................................................................................. 27
3.9 Evaluation of Reliability and Validity...............................................................28
CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS....................................................................................... 1
4.1 Introduction....................................................................................................... 1
4.2 Thematic analysis.............................................................................................. 6
CHAPTER 6: DISCUSSION.......................................................................................... 15
CHAPTER 7: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................18
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5.1 Introduction..................................................................................................... 18
5.2 Conclusion....................................................................................................... 18
5.3 Recommendation............................................................................................ 21
CHAPTER 8: REFLECTIVE CHAPTER...........................................................................23
6.1. Introduction.................................................................................................... 23
6.2. The Concept of Project Leadership.................................................................23
6.3. Project Leadership Skills (Analysis of Leadership styles and theories adopted
by Pakistani Leaders)............................................................................................ 25
6.4. Leadership Theory.......................................................................................... 27
6.4.1. Trait Approach............................................................................................. 28
6.4.2. Behavioral Approach................................................................................... 28
6.4.3. Situational Approaches to Leadership.........................................................28
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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the research
Efficient and effective project management is crucial to the success of any project. While
the implementation of a project is the step that requires is most grave in its importance, effective
project management is the way through which successful implementation can be guaranteed. A
project’s success and efficient implementation depends on those who work for it, that is, the
labor. For ensuring manpower to work in a particular manner and to achieve preset goals, strong
leadership is necessary. This is where project management comes in. Cleland (2001). The present
research focuses on the effectiveness of the project and the role of leadership. Further the report
suggest that the most important aspect for the success of any project is the leadership involved in
it, as the leader is the one on whom, the success or failure of the project is dependent. A good
workforce has a good leader, and a poor workforce has a poor leader. Considerable research,
such as Druskat and Wheeler, 2003; Durham, Knight, and Locke, 1997; Judge, Piccolo, and Ilies,
2004 has brought to light the importance of leadership to enhance work performance of
employees, ensuring efficient project implementation.
A number of factors, such as the Human Resource Management, efficient and high
performing teams, communication, organization behavior and particularly leadership are crucial
for successful project implementation. “Empowering leadership has been studied from two
perspectives. The first focuses on leader actions—specifically, sharing power or giving more
responsibility and autonomy to employees (Kirkman and Rosen, 1997; 1999; Strauss, 1963). The
second perspective focuses on employees’ response to empowerment, in particular looking at
their motivation (Conger and Kanungo, 1988; Kirkman and Rosen, 1997, 1999; Spreitzer, 1995;
Thomas and Velthouse, 1990).” (Shrivastava and Bartol, 2006)
Researchers in this research work made an analysis that the manager of a project has to
perform beyond the only deliverables which are related to the task and think beyond that in order
to successfully achieve greater results out of any project that he wants to get completed.
Furthermore, the importance of time management, the cost of a project and scope of the project
were also analyzed, as it is very difficult for a single manager to deal with all the issues, so here
comes the role of a leader where he can efficiently manage to divide the work into equal parts to
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equal employees while increasing their level of motivation to manage those tasks and all the
issues which are relate to that particular task in order to successfully complete the task
1.2 Research problem
Every organization needs effective leadership to boost the morale of employees and
enhance their productivity in business. “In recent years, many well-known companies such as
Chrysler, Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch have either disappeared or were taken overdue to
absence of leadership. Therefore, this dissertation will help in knowing the significance of
leadership on the employee performance. Leadership is believed to be one of the contributing
factors to their turmoil. Hence, it proves that capable leadership is a critical element in any
organization.” (Singapore Leadership Association, 2010)It has been revealed through a variety of
literature that in order to create a culture where quality matters, the company needs to focus on
the leadership that is being followed. The importance of leadership, just like in many other
aspects of business management, is crucial in project management. In developing nations, such
as Pakistan, numerous projects have failed or have been filed away even before their
implementation due to the lack of effective leadership. “Leadership is the art of influencing
others to their maximum performance to accomplish any task, objective or project.” (Cohen and
March, 1974) According to Blankstein (1996), the organization needs to follow a set of
principles under a strong leadership which are based on quality, resulting in positive results
which will help the company achieve its rudimentary objectives for which it has been operating
in the market place.
1.3 Chapter structure
In order to perform the dissertation, the researcher is required to adhere a well defined
and clear structure that leaves no scope of confusion. The structure must be suitable for the study
and must consist of series of chapters that determines important part of the investigation report.
The elaboration about the different chapters of the dissertation has been done considering the
subsequent headings: Chapter 1: Introduction – It is important chapter that provide background of the study
along with the a broad and well defined framework about the topic of the research. By
providing the overview of research, introduction will start. It will furnish a description of
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the topic of the research which is leadership and its link to the organization of developed
and developing nations. Next to this, the aims and objectives of the research will be
provided followed by the questions that will be addressed in the research. Finally, in the
introduction part, the research tools, techniques and actual importance of the topic of
research will be detailed out. Chapter 2: Literature Review – The following chapter will cater an abstract of the
significance of topic of study which is leadership. It will further cover different
conception related to ineffective leadership in developing nations as compared to that of
developed one. In this section contrasting views and perception of various authors about
the topic under the study will be provided. Chapter 3: Research Methodology – It is another important chapter, that will provide
explanation about the various methods that the investigator is required to use for making
progress in the research. Further, a specific method will be select and justifications of
the same will also be provided. Thereafter, the apprehension will be formed about
research limitations and ethical considerations that must be focused upon. Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Findings – In this chapter, an in-depth examination of
thee data that has been accumulated from varied sources will be provided. Therefore, this
section will provide great help in in moving towards different results.
 Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations – This section will provide effective
assistance in the showcasing the of major findings that have been acquired after analytic
thinking of the data. Followed by this, suitable recommendations will b provided with the
aid of this section. Therefore, the factors due to which there is ineffective leadership in
developing nations like Pakistan as compared to its counterparts like, US and Europe will
be provided.
1.4 Aim and objective
Aim
To explore the reasons behind use of specific leadership style to increase the work performance
of employees.
Objectives
The following objectives have been prepared with the given aim:
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