A natural experiment on the influence of leadership behavior patterns on scientific productivity
- 1 January 1970
- journal article
- Published by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management
- Vol. EM-17 (1) , 10-20
- https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.1970.6448509
Abstract
Reports a field study situation where organizational change created conditions tantamount to a natural experiment on the relationship of leadership behaviour pattern to group morale and productivity. A formerly undifferentiated group was divided so that half the personnel remained under the control of their former leader, while half the personnel were placed under the control of a new leader. Whereas the former leader had been relatively permissive in behaviour, the new leader was autocratic and directive. Productivity was measured by publication rate, and morale indicated by turnover rate. Observational and interview data provided support. It was found that autocratic leadership had an immediate effect in lowering morale and productivity in the group directly under this form of control; after a short time lag, morale and productivity also suffered in the group of scientists not under autocratic control, but working in the same environment.Keywords
This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: