Women and minorities were projected to represent 70 percent of the U. S. ‘s 2008 workforce (Lockwood, 2005). To maintain financial competitiveness in this diverse landscape, organizational leaders must embrace the leadership styles that are most effective in motivating he diverse groups in which many employees work. Diversity in work groups can generate significant benefits for organizations, including enhanced innovation, creativity, and productivity (Valentine, 2001).
Capturing these benefits takes the right type of leadership style and skills (Jung and Kiosk, 2002; Silversmiths, 2001; Walden et al, 2001; Kim and organ, 1986; House, 1971; Fiddler, 1967). Despite recognition that an appropriate leader can enhance a work group’s performance, increase group members’ job satisfaction, and reduce turnover intentions, there is scant research assessing the impact of specific leadership styles on diverse ark group effectiveness and turnover intention (Deemed et al. , 2004).
To help fill this gap, we analyze the relationships among three Path-Goal leadership styles, diversity, work group effectiveness and work group members’ turnover intention. The following section discusses the important literature about diverse work groups, work group effectiveness, turnover intention, and Path-Goal leadership styles. Then, the methods and results of our data collection and analysis are presented. Finally, the conclusions and implications of this stud’s findings for organizational leaders and the fields of leadership and management are explained.
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Work Groups and Work Group Diversity Work groups are comprised of individuals who are interdependent and/ or interact with each other to complete tasks and projects that contribute to organizational productivity, innovation, and creativity. The exchange of information and know-how among work group members as they achieve common goals generates social bonds that enhance productivity and organizations’ financial performance (Gill et al. , 2005; Blanchard and Miller, 2001; Beck et al. , 1999; Naked and Greenhouse, 1999; Monika and Attacked, 1995).
Diverse work groups exist when members’ individual attributes differ (Manning and Neal, 2005; Hofmann et al. , 2004, 2003). Researchers often focus on two dimensions of group member diversity. The first is “visible dissimilarity,” which includes explicit characteristics such as age, race/ethnicity, and gender, and the second is “value/informational dissimilarity,” which includes relative characteristics such as functional background, educational background, and seniority (Hofmann et al, 2004, 2003; Psychotherapy, 2003; Chatham and Flynn, 2001 ; Williams and Reilly, 1998).
When individuals interact with people whom hey perceive as different, they tend to classify themselves and those people into social categories (Cox and Moon, 1990). Research has found that, early in the life of a work group, members focus on the visible aspects of diversity such as gender, race/ethnicity, and age. As group members interact, they redirect their attention to other members’ non-visible features such as personality, education, expertise, values, and communication styles (Cunningham and Sagas, 2004; Hofmann et al. 2004, 2003; Salomon and Scorch, 2003; Richard et al, 2002; Ecuador, 1994). Employees with more perceived value/informational similarity with their leaders tend to be less satisfied with them and have weaker organizational attachment that those with high perceived similarity (Lankan et al. , 2007). Diverse work groups present their leaders with challenges and benefits. Among the challenges are potentially unfavorable interpersonal relationships, impeded intra-group communication, low group cohesiveness, and high employee turnover (Joplin and Dads, 1997; Schneider, 1987; Proffer, 1983).
If not managed correctly, diversity can negatively affect work group members’ retention, organizational commitment, and productivity, harming the roof’s overall effectiveness (Schemers et al, 1995). Thomas (1999) confirmed that homogeneous groups experienced better work performance that heterogeneous ones. Researchers have also identified potential benefits of diverse work (Mira and Hid, 2004; Ecuador, 1994). Work group resources (including knowledge creation) reside in all work group members and are embedded in their social networks (Naked and Greenhouse, 1999; Unhappiest and Shoal, 1998).
Calumniation’s theorists assert that the common work activities and goals shared by group members may satisfy members’ need to belong regardless f a group’s diversity (Don, 2000; Beck et al. , 1999; Ecuador, 1994). When diverse group members’ resources are properly channeled, groups utilize their differences as sources of learning, growth, and adaptability, positively impacting organizational performance (Schneider, 1987). Work Group Effectiveness Organizations often rely on work groups for product development, service improvement, and operations.
For work groups to be effective, group members must feel that teamwork, care, and trust are core group values (Campbell and Swift, 2006; Gill et al, 2005; Archon et al, 2003; Harrison et al, 1998). Organizations with successful work group leaders who are able to promote such values find themselves with high levels of work group effectiveness which contribute to their organization’s competitiveness (Cohen and Bailey, 1997). Morris and Canter (1991) and Fold (2004) found that, under certain circumstances, members can feel social reassurance in their work groups despite differences with other group members.
When leaders communicate positively about work group diversity, emphasizing the group’s common work goals, and members take constructive, introspective views about their beliefs about diversity, work group effectiveness is enhanced, positively impacting organizational competitiveness (Thatcher et al, 2003; Hostages and Demurs, 2002). It is important for group leaders to acknowledge and celebrate diversity so that it is viewed as a generator of innovation and creativity for the organization (Hibernia/. 2003; Psychotherapy, 2003; Ely and Thomas, 2001 ; Cohen and Bailey, 1997). Diverse work group effectiveness tends to decline when members become dissatisfied with leadership styles that do not meet their expectations. As a result, diverse work groups need leaders who motivate members to embrace their diversity Souse-Pizza and Weinberg, 2004; Peterson, 2004; Quo, 2004; Katie et al, 2001; Aquinas et al, 1997; House and Desire, 1974).
Such leaders motivate high levels of work group performance and foster job satisfaction (Kim and Organ, 1986). Conflict generated by work group diversity that is not properly addressed by leaders can be a barrier to work group effectiveness and may result in decreased member retention (Boyar et al, 2003; John et al, 1999). Research about diversity and work group effectiveness led to the first hypothesis: HI. There is a statistically significant negative relationship between work group diversity and ark group effectiveness.
Path-coal Leadership Theory Leadership literature is replete with theories that confirm the important relationship between positive leadership and group or organizational effectiveness. Good leaders develop sound strategies and structures that support employees, reward their commitment, and minimize their turnover (Sheared and Kebabs, 2002, 2004; Walden et al, 2001; Fiddler, 1967). They also provide visions that empower, motivate, and encourage high levels of individual and work group performance (Ann. et al , 2004; Gabon and Harris, 2000; Joplin and Dads, 1997).
Path-Goal leadership theory provides a framework that explains the success of leaders who are flexible and able to generate high levels of work group effectiveness by increasing members’ motivation through clarification, direction, structure, and rewards (Has et al. , 2003; Silversmiths, 2001; House and Mitchell, 1974; House, 1971). Leaders with Path-Goal leadership styles clarify and provide direction for followers, help remove obstacles, and provide encouragement and rewards for goal achievement.
These leaders achieve results because of their influential posture, ability to work effectively with others, and success in generating worker satisfaction (Youngling, 2006; House and Mitchell, 1974). Path-Goal Leadership Theory and Work Group Effectiveness The Path-Goal leadership theory assigns responsibility for a work group’s effectiveness to its leaders based on the premise that leaders’ behaviors impact their work groups.
Individuals adopting Path-Goal leadership styles tend to be successful in enhancing work group effectiveness because these styles enable leaders to assess needs and clarify goals in many work group situations (Gabon and Harris, 2000). The flexibility of Path-Goal leadership styles may also enhance diverse work group members’ satisfaction with their working conditions, thereby raising their retention rates (Deemed et al, 2004). Based on these findings, the second hypothesis for this study is: H2O.
There is a statistically significant positive relationship between Path-Goal leadership styles and work group effectiveness. Turnover Intention Research has also found that employee dissatisfaction with work group experiences, including leaders’ styles and work group diversity, directly contributes to their turnover intentions (Brannon et al, 2007; Hang and Quo, 2006; Assam, 2006; Lateral, 2006; Bighead et al. 2005; Chem. and Silversmiths, 2005; Peterson, 2004; Abraham, 1999; Sims and Crock, 1994).
Because work group diversity may enhance conflict among work group members, turnover intentions among affected work group members may rise (Brannon et al. , 2007). Thus, this stud’s third hypothesis is: 1-43. There is a statistically significant positive relationship between work group diversity and turnover intention. Turnover intention has been found to be highly correlated with and a precursor to resignations. Resignations disrupt overall organizational effectiveness and increase expenses (Oar and Argots, 2006; Souse-Pizza and Weinberg, 2004; Tapping et al. 2003). Porter and Steers’ (1973) met-expectation theory proposed that employees’ expectations are tied to satisfaction with their work groups. Empirical studies have confirmed this theory, finding that positive work group experiences and effectiveness can enhance employees’ satisfaction and minimize turnover intentions (Cohen and Bailey, 1997; Horn et a’, 1984). Work group leaders are charged with enhancing the effectiveness, including minimization of member turnover, of their work groups (Chatham and Flynn, 2001; Peeled et al, 1999; Andre, 1995).
When work group leaders appreciate their members and gaslight their individual value and contribution to performance, work group cohesiveness improves, effectiveness increases, organizational commitment is enhanced, and turnover intention declines (Brannon et al, 2007; LOL et al, 2006; Valentine, 2001). This leads to this stud’s fourth hypothesis: HA. There is a statistically significant negative relationship between Path-Goal leadership styles and turnover intention.
Review of the literature about diversity work group effectiveness, turnover intention, and Path-Goal leadership styles reveals gaps in analysis of how these topics may be related. Thus, the final two hypotheses for this study are: HA. There is a statistically significant positive relationship among Path-coal leadership styles, diversity, and work group effectiveness. HA. Path- Goal leadership styles, diversity and work group effectiveness significantly impact work group members’ turnover intention.
METHODOLOGY Research Question and Hypotheses When designing this study, the main interest was in determining the interrelationships among Path-Goal leadership styles, diversity in work groups, work group effectiveness and work group members’ turnover intentions. Figure I wows the combination of variables in this study. Population and Sampling Plan Surveys were distributed to all 260, full-time, white collar and bluebottle workers at a southeastern U. S. Multinational manufacturing firm.
All participants worked in one of 20 work groups in production/manufacturing, distribution/ logistics, technology, cleaning/painting, or recycling, ranging in size from five to 25 employees. All participants completed surveys anonymously during working hours, and the stud’s data was collected during a one-week period in fall 2007, yielding 242 usable surveys (a 92% response rate). Instrumentation and Data Analysis The survey had four parts with 48 total questions, leveraging proven instruments developed and tested in prior research.
Part One used the Perceived Dissimilarity Scale (Hofmann et al. , 2004) to measure “visible dissimilarity” (information about participants’ age, gender, race, ethnicity, educational level, occupational level, and job tenure) and “value/ informational dissimilarity,” (data about participants’ values, work principles, and functional experience). Part Two measured participants’ perceptions of their work group leaders’ styles using the Perceived Leadership Behavior Scale (PLUS) (House and Desire, 1974).
Part Three measured participants’ perceptions of their work groups’ effectiveness using Part IV (The Perceived Work Group Effectiveness Scale) of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute’s Occupational Climate Survey (DEEDS). Part Four measured employees’ turnover intention, using The Turnover Intention Scale (Caiman et al. , 1983). To analyze study data, descriptive statistics, factor analyses, and multiple regression analyses were applied. Adopted scales were retested for internal consistency and reliability.
RESULTS Internal Consistency and Reliability of Survey Subspaces Factor analysis of all subspaces yielded one-factor solutions for each of the following variables: visible dissimilarity, value/informational dissimilarity, instrumental leadership, supportive leadership, participative leadership, and turnover intention scales. Factor analyses revealed a two-factor solution for the DEEDS Work Group Effectiveness Scale. Cockroach’s alphas were calculated to determine the levels of internal consistency and reliability for all subspaces, revealing alphas above . 79 for each.
Research Findings Analysis of the descriptive statistics of the sample showed that participants’ anemographic were representative of employees working in heavy manufacturing in southeastern U. S. Demographic information for the sample is separated into visible and value/informational dissimilarity categories and is detailed in Table 1. Hypothesis 1. Results of a multiple regression analysis revealed that visible dissimilarity (p = . 193) did not have a significant negative correlation with work group effectiveness and that value/informational dissimilarity (p = . 53) displayed a negative trend effect relationship with work group effectiveness. The adjusted Rasp AAA shows that work group diversity explained only 5% of the variability in work group effectiveness. Results of this analysis did not confirm prior research that found that diversity impeded work group effectiveness Poplin and Dads, 1997; Schemers et al, 1995; Schneider, 1987; Proffer, 1983). Thus, the first hypothesis was not supported. Hypothesis 2.
This hypothesis was designed to confirm the results of prior research into the effectiveness of Path-Goal leadership styles (Has et al, 2003; Silversmiths, 2001; Gabon and Harris, 2000; House and Mitchell, 1974; House, 1971). Multiple regression analysis revealed that all three Path-Goal leadership styles had atheistically significant, positive relationships with work group effectiveness, supporting the second hypothesis and confirming the findings of prior research. The Instrumental leadership style was most strongly correlated with work group effectiveness at p = . 05, Participative leadership was correlated at p – -013, and Supportive leadership was correlated at p = . 026. Combined, the Path-Goal leadership styles explained 34% of the variability in work group effectiveness. Hypothesis 3. The third hypothesis was developed to confirm research that found that diverse work groups would experience high levels of remover intention (Joplin and Dads, 1997; Schneider, 1987; Proffer, 1983). A multiple regression analysis indicated that value/informational dissimilarity had a statistically significant positive correlation (p = . 19) with turnover intention. Visible dissimilarity in work groups did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship with turnover intention (p = . 656). This supports the literature which suggests that, over time, members focus more on co-workers’ non-visible aspects of diversity. However, the adjusted Rasp AAA for this analysis shows that work group diversity only explained 2% of the variance in turnover intention. Given the low adjusted Rasp 2″‘ of this analysis Hypothesis 3 was not supported. Hypothesis 4.
Foundational research for this hypothesis were studies by Gill et al (2005) and Has et al (2003), which found that Path-Goal leadership styles were effective in reducing employee turnover intention. A regression analysis revealed that both Instrumental leadership (p = 365) and Participative leadership (p 127) styles were negatively correlated with turnover intention, although not at statistically significant levels. The Supportive leadership style, however, did have a statistically significant negative relationship with turnover intention (p = . 2. ) Path-coal leadership styles explained 22% of the variability in turnover intention. Thus, the fourth hypothesis was only partially supported. Hypothesis 5. Multiple regression analysis revealed positive, statistically significant relationships between Instrumental and Participative leadership styles and work group effectiveness, confirming earlier research (Has et al, 2003; Silverfishes, 2001; Gabon and Harris, 2000). However, neither visible nor value/informational dissimilarity was significantly correlated with work group effectiveness.
As a group, the three Path-Goal leadership styles and diversity explained 37% of the arability in work group effectiveness. Thus, this hypothesis is only partially supported. Table 2 contains the results of the analysis. Hypothesis 6. Regression analysis revealed that Path-Goal leadership styles, diversity, and work group effectiveness explained 23% of the variability of turnover intention. Value/ informational dissimilarity (p = . 045) had a significant positive relationship with turnover intention, suggesting that work group members’ turnover intentions increased with increasing levels of value/ informational dissimilarity.
The Supportive leadership style (p = . 006) also had a statistically significant legislation with turnover intention, showing that leaders of diverse work groups demonstrating the Supportive leadership style lowered members’ turnover intentions. It is interesting to note that at a . 10 level of significance, the Participative leadership style is significantly correlated with turnover intention. Finally, although prior studies have found that group members’ perceptions of work group effectiveness positively impact turnover intentions (Brannon et al. 2007; Cohen and Bailey, 1 997; Kim and Organ, 1 986), this analysis did not confirm this relationship (p . 858). Thus, Hypothesis 6 is only partially supported. Details of this analysis are in Table 3. DISCUSSION Employees are often organized into work groups in order to increase organizational productivity and competitiveness. Work group leaders are tasked with creating and nurturing environments that motivate members’ contribution to the achievement of common work goals. In the U. S. Many work groups are diverse, reflecting the country’s demographic make-up. This research found that Path-Goal leadership styles had statistically significant, positive relationships with diverse work group effectiveness, with Instrumental leadership demonstrating the strongest correlation. An interesting finding was that Supportive leadership (offering camaraderie, friendliness, and concern for achievement and group members’ well-being) was the Path-Goal leadership style most highly correlated with reduced work group members’ turnover intention.
This study confirmed some existing research about diversity and work group effectiveness and disconcerted other findings by demonstrating that visible dissimilarity among members does not significantly impact effectiveness, and that members’ dissimilarity in values, principles, and functional experience only has a negative trend effect on effectiveness. The practical implication of his finding is that organizations emphasizing common values and conducting appropriate diversity training may be able to improve employee satisfaction and diverse work group performance.
