Leadership Style, Culture and Commitment: An Analytical Study of University Libraries in Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction & Theoretical FrameworkLeaders are needed in all fields and at all levels to give their best (Adair, 2003). Leaders possess certain qualities which distinguish them from non-leaders. They utilize their potential, skill set, and influences to motivate and inspire the followers and help them thrive for the attainment of organizational objectives. Leaders do so by exercising authority, enforcement of rules, participation, maneuvering the situation and by effectively organizing team efforts. Leaders create culture where people put their efforts for goal attainment for the organizational success. Leaders have commitment with the organizational goals and sincerity with followers, which in response, inspire the people and enhance commitment with the leader and organization. Total leaders establish their personal examples. Hence, people are discussing the issue of future leadership, whose main focus would not be the merits of public or private sector but the scarcity of moral leadership in today's society (Donkin, 2004).Leadership is a process of interaction between leaders and followers where the leader attempts to influence followers to achieve a common goal. (Northouse, 2010; Yukl, 2005).Avolio, et al. (1999) found following leadership styles through Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire:a. Charisma/Inspirational. Providing followers with a clear sense of purpose,b. Intellectual Stimulation. Encouraging followers to question for problem solving,c. Individualized Consideration. Understanding the needs of each followerd. Contingent Reward. Expectations from followers and how they are rewarded in response.e. Active Management-By-Exception. Monitoring the tasks closely to maintain performance.f. Passive-Avoidant Leadership. React only after arising serious problems & take corrective action.Burns (1978) and Bass (1985) developed leadership style model, which includes:a. Transformational Leadership: in which, the leader inspires and motivate its followers for task achievementb. Transactional Leadership: in which, the leader rewards on goal achieve and punish on failure.The leadership styles considered in this study are: Autocratic, Democratic, and Laissez-fair that have been given by Kurt and Lewin in their study for leadership styles at University of Iowa in1939.Autocratic Leader: dominates team-members, using unilateralism to achieve an objectiveParticipative Leader: democratic leader makes decisions by consulting his teamLaissez-faire Leader: laissez-faire leader exercises little control over his groupLeadership Style in Public and Private SectorLeadership style is the behavior pattern used by a leader to resolve the organizational issues (Lewin, LIippit, & White, 1939). Leadership style of principals of private and public sector is more tasks oriented and less people oriented (Waqar and Siddiqui, 2010).To differentiate the leadership style of public and private sector, Hudson (2009) used its Business Attitudes Questionnaire (BAQ) to analyze the personality characteristics of 1,185 senior leaders in Europe. Among these leaders, 485 were selected from private and 700 from public sector. The results were compared to over 64000 people all over the globe. His key findings were as follows:* Public sector leaders are long term strategy oriented.* Private sector leaders desire quick results.* Public sector leaders believe in control and command.* Private sector leaders trust their subordinates.* Public sector leaders are less optimistic and they go behind thoughtful approach.* Women leaders in public sector are out spoken.* Young leaders in private sector avail more opportunities for personal development.Further results of research show that the nature of public sector organizations is comparatively complex and these results are equally applicable for global leadership. …