Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 2004

Leadership Styles between Technical and Non-Technical Superiors: Guess Who Will Give Subordinates More Freedom on the Job?

James Poon Teng Fatt Nanyang Technological University

Abstract

Is there a difference in the dominant leadership style between technical and non-technical superiors? Which leadership style of superiors will give their subordinates more freedom on the job? By using House's Path-Goal Model [1] in a study involving a survey of subordinates of 100 technical and 100 non-technical companies in Singapore, I found that technical superiors tend to adopt a supportive leadership style, while non-technical superiors adopt a more achievement-oriented one. This manifests in significant differences between the two kinds of superiors in the extent of the leader's position power (formal authority), the degree of autonomy subordinates want, and the extent subordinates control their goal achievements.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2004-01-01
DOI
10.2190/y1qw-4bqu-r178-l3gt
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