CULTURE AND LEADERSHIP PRACTICES

Culture and Leadership Practices

Gregory B. Brownfield, DM/IST

RES/722A

January 23, 2012

Dr. Linda de Charon

Culture and Leadership Practices

Leadership as a term coins different concepts in only one word. It not only defines the personality trait of an individual; however it also defines the necessity and role of different approaches to get issues accomplished in an effective manner by leading a group of individuals. An effective leadership mechanism involves set of competencies to influence and drive the actions of people, especially when working in a group or as a team leader (Wexler, 2005). Over a period, multiple leadership styles have been developed based on the impact of each leadership style in situation demand (Wexler, 2005). Contemporary organizations are more concerned with adapting effective leadership practices that enable the organization to become more oriented toward goals by involving employees as a key component in their course of actions (DuBrin, 2001).

Main objective of conducting this research is to examine the leadership style preferred in the American Citizens and Foreign Nationals. General population group selected for the proposed study is American IT professional and Japanese IT professionals. Quantitative research method will be used in this research that will examine the comparison between American IT professionals' preferred leadership style and Japanese IT professionals' preferred leadership style using correlation research design.

Problem Statement

Different researchers have presented different concepts related to leadership. These concepts mainly differ based on the necessity of specific leadership style and its importance in multiple contexts. Each leadership style encompass the concept of capability to lead, manage, direct the behavior, motivate team/group members, guide their actions, and encourage initiative and goal-oriented behavior in them.

Difference in organizational leading culture and working environment structure, leadership style may differ significantly in American IT firms and Japanese IT firms. Different leadership theorists have presented leadership styles that are arranged in dimensions based on control and autonomy given to employees (Wexler, 2005). Style of leadership varies with the organizational structure and level of autonomy given to employees in American firms and Japanese firms.

Leadership style in American firms and Japanese firms is not restricted to any particular domain, however can be employed in all business fields (DuBrin, 2001). It is essential to focus on key factors of leadership methodology and effectiveness to have maximum influence on the goals achievement. American IT firms and Japanese IT firms may opt for different leadership style to enhance the workflow structure and maintain efficiency by limiting the control and autonomy given to employees. Therefore, main problem exist in identification of leadership style that appear to provide effective results in American IT firms and Japanese IT firms. Another problem that needs to be explored includes assessing the existence or absence of problems associated with using leadership style that may be less effective within a specific culture (DuBrin, 2001).

Purpose Statement

The main objective of this research is to identify the appropriateness of leadership style in IT firms based on the organizational culture. Multifactor leadership questionnaire (MLQ) will be developed to identify the leadership ...