The Role of Autocratic Leadership Style on Employee Performance at M&S

This report explores the role of autocratic leadership style on employee performance, particularly focusing on a study conducted at Marks and Spencer. It aims to understand the concept of autocratic leadership, analyze its impact on employee productivity, identify the relationship between the leadership style and productivity, and recommend effective strategies. The report includes a literature review that examines different perspectives on autocratic leadership, its influence on employee morale and productivity, and the correlation between autocratic leadership and employee output. The research methodology outlines the use of action research, incorporating both primary data collected through questionnaires and secondary data from literature reviews. The analysis employs thematic data analysis to evaluate qualitative data and theoretical knowledge. The study utilizes probability sampling, selecting 30 employees from Marks and Spencer to participate and provide insights into the effects of autocratic leadership within the organization.

Business research individual
proposal

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
Aim .............................................................................................................................................4
Objectives....................................................................................................................................4
Research question........................................................................................................................4
Background..................................................................................................................................4
Rationale......................................................................................................................................5
LITERATURE REVIEW ...............................................................................................................5
Introduction .................................................................................................................................5
Theme1- Understanding the concept of autocratic leadership style............................................6
Theme2- Role of autocratic leadership style over the productivity of employees......................6
Theme3- Relationship exist between autocratic leadership style and employee’s productivity. 8
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................8
FEASIBILITY ................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

TITLE- ROLE OF AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP STYLE ON EMPLOYEES
PERFORMANCE.

INTRODUCTION
Aim
To analyse the role of autocratic leadership style over the productivity of employees. A
study on Marks and spencer.
Objectives
 To understand the concept of autocratic leadership style.
 To analyse the role of autocratic leadership style on the productivity of employees.
 To identify the relation between autocratic leadership style and employee’s productivity.
 To recommend effective strategies in context of autocratic leadership style that helps in
increasing the productivity of employees.
Research question
Q1. What is the concept of autocratic leadership style?
Q2. What is the role of autocratic leadership style over the productivity of employees?
Q3. What relationship exist between autocratic leadership style and employee’s productivity?
Q4. What are the effective strategies that can be use in autocratic leadership style for increasing
the productivity of employees?
Background
Leadership has become one of the vital concept in the organizations as it helps in leading
the employees in right direction. Proper guidance towards employees has been proven highly
effective in order to increasing the performance of employees which further results in enhancing
the performance of organization. Thus, leadership plays crucial role in guiding the employees in
proper manner and when effective guidance is being assured to employees then automatically
their potential of working increases (Hogg, 2021). The major attribute is aligned with the type of
leadership adopted by the company. Autocratic leadership style is one of the leadership style
under which leader itself takes all decision without taking suggestion from other members in the
organization. Autocratic leadership style impacts the working pattern of employees in positive
manner however, it impacts the morals of employees in negative manner.
The leader who adopts the autocratic leadership style takes decision by their own beliefs
and leader is experienced therefore, the outcomes are effective. On the other hand, employees do
not involve in decision making which might reduce their morals and values. Thus, the present

research proposal will shed a light over the role of autocratic leadership style over employee’s
productivity. Effective literature review will be performed in context of selected topic.
Appropriate methodology that will be adopted for conducting research will be highlighted.
Rationale
Autocratic leadership style mainly focuses over the management criteria that includes
providing specific direction to employees in organization so they can perform task accordingly.
The decision has been taken by the leaders and the employees follow the decision and in this
manner the work procedure has been performed in organization. There are certain benefits of
autocratic leadership style that is aligned with fast decision making, reaching of organizational
goals in efficient manner and creativity is being ensured in the employees (Chukwusa, 2018).
However, there are some negative impact of autocratic leadership style that is associated with
decreasing the morals of employees as when employees are not involve in decision making the it
leads to create impact over their values and morals in negative manner.
The autocratic leadership style is wider concept on-to which the research can be explored as
it helps in improving working pattern however, at the same time morals of employees is being
reduced as they are not involved in decision making. Thus, the major reason behind conducting
current research is entitled with analysing the extent up-to which autocratic leadership style
impacts the productivity of employees. The outcomes of the research will clarify the actual
impacts of autocratic leadership style over the employees.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
Literature review has been considered as the comprehensive summary of the previous
researches over a topic. Literature review helps in conducting effective analysation in context of
study area. Opinions of different authors has been critically evaluated and the conclusion has
been drawn that helps in understanding the topic in effective manner. Thus, the present section
will perform the literature review and critically analyse the major objectives of the research
topic. The themes will be made and role of autocratic leadership style on the employee’s
productivity will be critically analysed.

Theme1- Understanding the concept of autocratic leadership style
As per the views of Setiawan et.al. (2021) Autocratic leadership style has been determined
as that leadership style in which all the decisions have been made by the leader itself. No
inclusion of employees has been done while making decision. Thus, autocratic leadership style
does not lead to delay in decision making that result in taking appropriate decision at the right
time so, the task can be performed in effective manner. Within adopting autocratic leadership
style leader can enhance the working ability of employees that further helps in enhancing the
working pattern of employees.
In the study conducted by Rivers, (2019) said that complete pressure has bear by the leader
itself and no pressure has been created over employees in context of taking decision. The
guidance is being assured to the employees and they have to follow that. Leaders are highly
experience and their decision is proven effective which enhances the creativity of employees as
well. The leaders take direct decision in regards to arranging training programme for employees
without taking permission from employees. Thus, in this manner opportunities for employees has
been created for enhancing their performance.
In contrast to this Mushtaq, (2019) stated that, autocratic leadership style can lead to create
the toxic environment in organization as all decision have been taken by leader itself without
including the opinion of employees. Therefore, there might be situation in which employees feel
less valued and this can impact them in negative manner. It leads to create the work culture that
is completely based over the leader priority. Also, there is situation may arrive which creates
lack of trust among the leaders and employees in organization. Furthermore, the dependency of
employees over leaders has been created that results in the complete dependency over leader for
performing the task. Thus, it can be said that autocratic leadership style provides the negative
impact over the morals of employees. However, in context of performance of employees the
autocratic leadership style has been proven effective as guidance from leaders ensures effective
performance of task by employees.
Theme2- Role of autocratic leadership style over the productivity of employees
According to Caillier, (2020) has a vital role in improving the performance of employees
in an organization. It is referred as ideal style of leadership for comparatively smaller
organizations in the industry as uniformity is important in these type of organizations. The

autocratic leadership style is useful for the organizations to strengthen their decision making
process and provide better assistance to their employees to work as per specific guidelines. It
considers taking relevant actions against specific situations by the leader in order to reduce the
conflicts and disagreements in the business environment. This is useful in improving the
productivity of employees by saving their valuable time in these conflicts and contributing
towards the overall success of the business. With the help of this leadership, employees are able
to work consistently in one direction towards the organizational goals as there are clear set of
principles which are defined by the business. The employees tend to be more productive under
the conditions where they are controlled by one authority rather than many superiors which have
different opinions and suggestions for problems.
Yunarsih and et.al., (2020) stated that autocratic leadership style helps the employees to
enhance their quality of work by adopting a uniform structure to gain better advantage at their
workplace. It has a significant role in the overall development of the employees at their
organization. The work pressure which is created by the business on employees under this
leadership style is sometimes helpful in reducing the procrastination of the employees and
achieving better results in the industry. There is a clear chain of command in the business with
the help of this type of leadership in the business which provides better assistance to the
employees in order to enhance their contribution towards the aims and objectives of the business.
It has a major impact in improving their productivity which helps in giving better performances
and increasing the success of the business.
In contrast, Apriyanti and Hertina, (2022) employee morale gets negatively influenced by
the autocratic leadership style which is not suitable for the business in order to increase the
productivity of their employees. This situation arises as the employees opinions are not
considered in the decision making process of the business which creates a unfavourable
environment where the employees are unable to improve their productivity. Pressure is created
on the employees in order to perform in the business environment which is not appropriate for
their growth. Creativity of the employees gets affected due to these factors which affects their
ability to produce better results in their workplace. The factors are not suitable for the employees
to perform increase their satisfaction levels which are crucial for their overall development in
the industry.

Theme3- Relationship exist between autocratic leadership style and employee’s productivity
According to Briker, Walter and Cole, (2021) autocratic leadership style has a clear
connection with the productivity of the employees as it is helpful in providing them with a
proper structure to follow for improving their performances. Thus is useful in bringing out the
best out of the employees and improving their overall efforts towards the success of the business.
By using this leadership style, the employees can enhance their performance and achieve better
quality of output at their workplace. It has an effective relationship in increasing the overall
efforts of the business towards their success in the industry. The coordination in the team can be
facilitated with the help of this leadership style as helps in reducing the conflicts between team
members. The employees are provided with instructions on how to perform certain roles and
responsibilities which is useful in order to improve the productivity of employees and gain
benefit in the business environment.
However Abdullahi, Anarfo and Anyigba, (2020) states that the autocratic leadership
style does not have an appropriate relationship with the productivity of the employees. This type
of leadership is not suitable for the employees to perform in the business environment and gain
better advantage which is crucial for their success in the business. Due to these factors the
employees have less motivation towards their job role which impacts their overall personal and
professional growth in the business environment. These factors may create difficulties for the
employees to improve their motivation levels and gain a significant advantage in the industry.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Action research is used by the researcher which is a research design used to integrate the
study elements in a logical manner and find out the specific features in the field of research
(Shani and Coghlan, 2021). It is beneficial to seek transformative change with the help of taking
appropriate actions and conducting research.
Data Collection
The researcher will use both primary and secondary methods in order to gather relevant
information about the topic. Questionnaire will be used as the primary collection instrument as it

is an effective tool to extract information from participants. The literature review will be the
secondary data collection method to collect data from relevant sources.
Data Analysis
The thematic data analysis will be used in this research to analyse the qualitative data
appropriately and gain theoretical knowledge about the topic. This method is chosen as it helps
in evaluating different ideas, topics and themes to get an effective output.
Sampling
The probability sampling method will be used in this research which allows each
participant with equal opportunities of getting selected as a sample (Berndt, 2020). The
employees of Marks and Spencer will be considered as the sample audience for this research
with a sample of 30 employees that will be evaluated in this study.
Ethical Issues
This research will take care of the ethical considerations which are consent of
participants, confidentiality of their information and anonymity of the respondents which will be
useful to conduct a fair and suitable for research for the participants. These aspects are crucial for
the business to consider in order to carry out suitable research for achieving better outcome of
the study.
Research Limitations
There can be various shortcomings that may arise in the study like reliability of the
information gathered, lack of time and resources which may have a negative impact on the study.
The researcher will adopt appropriate time management and strategic planning activities in order
to reduce the influence of these factors of the research.
FEASIBILITY
The current study is based on the impact of autocratic leadership style on the different
aspects that are considered by the business. It will show the different type influence that
autocratic leadership has on the productivity of the employees. Different opinions of re
employees and trusted academic sources will show the real contribution of this leadership style
in enhancing the performance of the employees. With the help of this study, the researcher will
be able to find our what is required by the organization in order to engage the employees towards
the organizational goals and build a better working environment for their overall development.

With the help of these practices the business will be able to enhance their overall output and
create better opportunities for the overall development of their employees in the business. This
will be beneficial for them to gain a better understanding of the appropriate measures which may
provide better assistance to the employees to enhance their overall productivity.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abdullahi, A.Z., Anarfo, E.B. and Anyigba, H., 2020. The impact of leadership style on
organizational citizenship behavior: does leaders' emotional intelligence play a
moderating role?. Journal of Management Development.
Apriyanti, W. and Hertina, D., 2022. The Influence of Autocratic Leadership Style And Work
Conflict, On Employee Performance At CV. Tiga Putri Sukabumi. Kontigensi: Jurnal
Ilmiah Manajemen. 10(1).
Berndt, A.E., 2020. Sampling methods. Journal of Human Lactation. 36(2). pp.224-226.
Briker, R., Walter, F. and Cole, M.S., 2021. Hurry up! The role of supervisors’ time urgency and
self‐perceived status for autocratic leadership and subordinates’ well‐being. Personnel
Psychology. 74(1). pp.55-76.
Caillier, J.G., 2020. Testing the influence of autocratic leadership, democratic leadership, and
public service motivation on citizen ratings of an agency head’s performance. Public
Performance & Management Review. 43(4). pp.918-941.
Chukwusa, J., 2018. Autocratic leadership style: Obstacle to success in academic
libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice, p.1.
Hogg, M.A., 2021. Uncertain self in a changing world: A foundation for radicalisation,
populism, and autocratic leadership. European Review of Social Psychology. 32(2).
pp.235-268.
Mushtaq, A., 2019. Revisiting multi factor leadership questionnaire and subsequent development
of a new leadership scale. Management Today. 9(2). pp.91-99.
Rivers, M.N., 2019. A review of autocratic, paternalistic, and charismatic leadership in three
collectivist cultures. Emerging Leadership Journeys, Regent University.
Setiawan et.al. 2021. The Impact of Leadership Styles on Employees Productivity in
Organizations: A Comparative Study Among Leadership Styles. Productivity
Management. 26(1). pp.382-404.
Shani, A.B. and Coghlan, D., 2021. Action research in business and management: A reflective
review. Action Research. 19(3). pp.518-541.
Yunarsih, N. and et.al., 2020. Develop Leadership Style Model for Nurse in Indonesian
Hospital. Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy. 11(8).