Employee Motivation

Annotated Bibliography

Fiaz, M., Qin, S., Ikram, A., & Saqib, A. (2017). LEADERSHIP STYLES AND EMPLOYEES' MOTIVATION:

PERSPECTIVE FROM AN EMERGING ECONOMY. Journal Of Developing Areas, 51(4), 143-156.

 

Authors

 This artcle is written by four authors namely; Fiaz, Ikram, Saqib and Qin. Fiaz, Qin and Ikram are from Xi’an Jiatong University where they have gained comprehensive knowledge and skills based on business and management. Fiaz has produced 30 publications, Ikram has one publication and Qin has 13 publications. All publications are based on business and management in general. Saqib is from University of Engineering and Technology where he has gained a comprehensive knowledge in business and has produced one publication.

 

Purpose of Article

The purpose of this article is to research the leadership style which is effective for employee motivation. Fiaz, Qin & Saqib assert that both public and private organizations in Pakistan face the challenge of ineffectual leadership. Organizations are addressing this issue and interested in employing effective leadership style that will increase employee motivation. In modern world, leaders are key elements in organization needed for motivating and influencing followers toward achieving the goals.  The authors state that employee motivation is important as it encourages employees to put more effort and improve performance for them to achieve unusual goals. Leadership is important in building a well-qualified workforce who will collaborate in achieving common goals. Employee motivation requires an effective leadership style   as it will create a committed workforce who will reduce employee turnover and maintain the competitive edge of the organization. The article asserts that in the emerging economy, organizations have not paid much attention on leadership style. The article is addressing organization managers and leaders and urges them to pay attention on leadership style in order to motivate employees and cope with changes in the emerging economy.  

Article Credibility

 In the research, Data was collected through the method of survey questionnaire is used.  One hundred and ten (110) managers from Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) are used. Hypothesis and practice implications were tested using descriptive and reliability statistics. Before conducting the research, a theoretical framework was used to examine the relationship between leadership style and employee motivation. A theoretical model was taken from previous studies which gave evidence that employee motivation is influenced by three leadership styles namely; democratic, laissez-faire and autocratic leadership styles. Other recent article by (Bass & Avolio, 2000; Tillery and Fishbach: 2014) provided research design tools such as Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and process-focused approach. Cronbach’s alpha test was used and showed both   the independent and dependent variables had 0.787 alpha coefficient. The study showed that in WAPDA, autocratic leadership does not increase employee motivation and this evidence was also taken from Kipnis et al., 1981. A previous study from Bass (1997) confirmed that employee motivation is influenced by democratic and laissez-faire styles.  Further analysis showed that democratic style is not effective since denies employees the opportunity to participate in decision making. Finally, the findings concluded that autocrtaioc style impacts motivation negatively. Democratic style influences motivation but does not cause a significant impact. Laissez-Faire is the best style for employee motivation.

Content Summary

 In the article, Fiaz et al, (2017) provides an important information that leadership style is important as it determines to outcome of human resources. Previous research from (Kesting et al. 2016: Puni, Ofei & Okoe 2014) affirm that laissez-faire, democratic and autocratic styles are effective in motivation, increasing value outcome such as satisfaction, turnover and effectiveness. The article state that leadership style has an impact on organization performance since a style which influences motivation controls employees’ behaviors. The important point which leaders should note is that leadership style can increase or decrease productivity and profitability. The message offered by the authors is important as it allows the reader understand different styles and their role in organizations. Note that leadership style is the key to productivity and satisfaction.  For example, autocratic style in every organization pays attention on performance which is influenced by policies, work task, reward, punishment and more.  Democratic style is interested with the team and leaders pays attention on commitment, encouragement, involvement and more. Laissez-faire style does not focus on employee development but rather allows employees to control themselves.

Application

 This article is important as it offers an essential message based on   the effective leadership styles which leaders should employ in order to increase employee motivation. I have learnt that employees’ motivation, productivity and profitability are improved by effective style of leadership. The important point is that laissez-faire style is most effective as it increases morale, behaviors and increases effectiveness. I would apply the lesson learnt in real world in solving problems facing modern organizations. For example, organizations in Pakistan face leadership problems and in this mater I would use laissez failure style to ensure that employees have the opportunity to make decisions, be accountable and adhere to the culture of self-motivation. In my professional, I will apply the leadership knowledge and skills gained  from this article to ensure that  the organization has a strong team, employee are free from strict policies and are accountable and responsible in improving performance and productivity.