COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE LEADERSHIP STYLE OF EXPATRIATE AND INDIGENOUS MANAGERS

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE LEADERSHIP STYLE OF EXPATRIATE AND INDIGENOUS MANAGERS

ABSTRACT

Leadership is a very important aspect of management. Effective and efficient management enterprise in any country plays a very important role in the prosperity of the economy of that country. However, this is not the case in Nigeria because it has been less than fortunate in both national and industrial leadership. Leadership has been considered as one of the most important factors influencing organizational performance and achievement of goals. The ability to lead effectively is one of the key requirements of a manager. Based on this, a study was carried out on the role of firms and organizations. This study sought to compare the leadership styles of expatriates and Nigerians is different firms. In this regard, the researcher studied three multinational firms – manufacturing, construction and drilling in nature. Questionnaire was used in collecting the relevant data. On the other hand, percentages and tables were used in analyzing the data while the Chi-square was used in testing the hypothesis. It was discovered that both expatriates and Nigerians adopt the same styles of leadership. In effect there are no significant differences in the leadership styles adopted by expatriates and their indigenous counter paths. It was also established that employees working under expatriate managers are not more satisfied than those working under indigenous managers. Equally of note is the fact there is no significant difference in the performance of expatriates. Finally, it was discovered that the leadership style adopted was determined by organizational structure, personality, attitude, values and competence of subordinates. The above notwithstanding, the firm’s managers were advice to improve their performance through the following recommendations. First of all, the managers should ensure employee satisfaction by providing good motivational measures and compensation packages. Secondly, the contingency leadership approach should be adopted by managers so as to enable them use the best style at any given time. Finally lower level employees should be involved in decision making and authority should also be delegated to them when the need arises.  Organizations are shifting from hierarchical structures to more open networks of people cooperating to achieve interrelated goals. A major role of leadership in this context is to engage participants in the works of identifying and employing a foundation of values that are responsive and accountable to participants, stakeholders, and professionals to develop an understanding of the role of leadership across the organization. The project provides a framework for examining and integrating issues pertaining to organizational leadership and helps prepare the student and professional for leading and participating in these new era organizations.