Authentic Leadership and Organizational Culture as Drivers of Employees Job Satisfaction - Research Proposal Example

3.1 Introduction

Organizations around the globe adapt varying types of leadership or management approaches to make the best of employee output and in driving profits for the organizations. However, while these varying strategies may work or need amending, organizations need to understand the types of leaderships they are involved with. This chapter of the study covers eleven (11) subheadings that briefly state the methods of choice in terms of data collection and analysis, the philosophy behind the data analysis as well as sampling methods to acquire the sample with. In addition, the chapter also plays a significant role in the overall study as it aims at showcasing the purpose of the study and the strategy to achieve the desired results.

The eleven subheadings include the current heading which introduces the chapter followed by the research philosophy which justifies the data analysis strategy as it relates to the type of research at hand. The research methodology approach makes a section for the justification of using quantitative and qualitative research and outlines the types of data expected from primary and secondary sources such as correspondents and published materials. On the other hand, the research process indicates the approach the study takes from sample selection to data analysis and reporting. The sampling of the research involves the selection and meriting of selected correspondents. In order to get the required data, a scaled questionnaire is used as the data collecting tool while the acquisition of data will take into account fieldwork. Upon the completion of the field work and acquisition of data, analysis of the data is considered the last step of the study. Nonetheless, the major points of the methodology chapter are restated in the conclusion chapter.

3.2 The Research Philosophy

Positivism research philosophy is selected for this study as it is in line with the demands of the research. The philosophy is concerned with measurements of responses from a data collection activity. Since this study is concerned with leadership and the associated effects of the same, the positivism approach takes into account the association of one type of leadership with efficiency results (Robson, and McCartan, 2016). Through this approach, statistical quantification of results is expected to regress and correlate the outcomes with each of the suggested leadership styles. While questionnaires will be used in this study, responses will be quantified with respect to weight and then a statistical program used to carryout of statistical analyses to verify the motive of the study (Robson, and McCartan, 2016).

The statistical methods to be used under the positivism philosophy include correlation and regression analyses. The use of correlation analysis is to state how significantly associated an item is with another. As such, items that are related are tested for significance to show that a change in one of the items such as the independent variables has an effect on another (Robson, and McCartan, 2016). For instance, besides the quality of leadership, the factors that comprise of leadership can change at any given moment such affecting others instead of the leadership itself (Den Hartog et al, 2013). On the other hand, regression analysis will be used to associate independent variables with dependent variables. In this case, if leadership type influences the type of motivation employees will gain, the types of leadership styles can be regressed to indicate whether the motivational outcomes to employees are efficient enough to steer the organization in the right profit-making approach (Den Hartog et al, 2013). The merit of selecting regression and correlation analyses is because both complement one another in terms of determining significance and merits of using some data classes as independent or dependent variables (De Vaus, 2013).

3.3 Research Methodology Approach and Quantitative & Qualitative Research Methodology

The study methodology approach in this case is straightforward in that it aims to associate leadership with motivation and organizational success in making profits. In order to associate leadership with organizational performance, the study takes into account secondary sources of information. These sources of information provide the study with a theoretical base which leadership type and organizational success can link through. However, since this study is not the very first to associate leadership styles with motivation, secondary sources aim at providing qualitative data on what previous researchers have done (Men, & Stacks, 2013). The reflection on previous studies is majorly associated with theory and practice in the corporate and non-profit leadership environments. However, for relevant qualitative information, the study targets previous literature whose association with the current topic relates only considers for-profit organizations whose aim of operating is to create value and increase profits (Minton et al. 2013). On the other hand, the analysis part of the study will be done in two different ways namely qualitative and quantitative approaches. With this in mind, the study will take into account descriptive approach in to report the statistical outputs. The statistical outputs for reporting are from the quantitative approach the study relies heavily on to assess whether the output from primary sources resembles, creates, or suggests new outcomes that do or do not relate with current information (Minton et al. 2013).

The primary data collection method will provide the study with quantitative data which will be statistically represented to show whether it validates or disqualifies the study hypothesis for testing. While statistical data is primarily used to acquire representative data on a larger sample, quantitative analysis provides the study with the results showing whether the items tested to validate or reject the hypotheses are significant to showcase that leadership traits have motivational effect to increase an organization’s output (Gupta, et al. 2013).

3.4 Research Process

The research process as it related to methodology chapter is connected with the manner in which data is collected and why the collection of that data is important. Thus, since the research is on leadership approach, organizational performance, and job satisfaction, the process starts with the identification of the research problem. The reason for conducting the research is to ensure that the study contributes the existing literature by either confirming that leadership styles are related with organizational performance or they have an influence on job satisfaction. In addition, since the study has also identified the literature to review, the process takes into account valid methods to connect the outcomes with the existing literature. However, since the research outcomes may differ, the process takes literature review findings as the basis of information while the statistical outcomes are considered the confirmation data which either relates or differs with the literature reviewed. In terms of clarifying the problem, this study observes that a relationship between leadership style exists and it influences employee job satisfaction as it also affects the organizational performance. Thus, the research process identifies the connection between leadership and performance while again it aims at connecting specific leadership styles with their actual inputs on performance (employees’ and organization’s).

However, since a process is made up of steps, each step of the study will be initiated and completed individually and independently. In the identification of the concepts for application in the study, leadership concepts such as employee satisfaction and motivational hygiene are considered to identify how some aspects of leadership may relate with performance and satisfaction of employees in supporting the organization’s mission. In order to do this, the research takes a sample of 50 from which data will be collected from. All from leadership and employee stand points, the sample will be provided with questionnaires as the data collecting instrument. The collected data will be analyzed through the use of recommendable statistical programs such as SPSS. Packages such as SPSS are richly endowed with functions that would facilitate a successful data analysis to test the hypothesized outcomes.3.5 Sampling

While it’s authentic for research to select a sampling method which takes into account the entire population and placing equal weight on all, it is also difficulty to apply some sampling techniques with reference to the required number of correspondents. In this study, a sample of 50 is required and each correspondent should be within the age of 20 to 40 years. The selection of a sample of 50 is to ensure that it is large enough to offer valid representation of the population of stakeholders affected or associated with leadership traits. In addition, the selection of a sample aged between 20 and 40 is to isolate working and non-working participants and ensuring that varying levels of organizational responsibilities are associated. With that kind of specification on how the sample should comprise of, probability sampling was initially a considerable approach which would have increased the chances of sampling authenticity for the represented population (Irwin, 2013). However, in order to select a better sampling method, it is observed that one of the advantages of probability sampling is that it increases the authenticity of the representative population in reflecting the traits of the represented population. However, this advantage is limited in terms of output as it requires the use of long process of allocating equal chances of selecting any individual within the population. Hence, with the switching from probability sampling to non-probability purposive sampling takes into account subjective judgment of the researcher (Levy, and Lemeshow, 2013).

Thus, as probability sampling would have considered any relevant correspondent as a viable member of the selected sample, non-probability purposive sampling only takes into account relevance of the correspondent (Irwin, 2013). Thus, since the study selects specific organizations to draw correspondents from, it also takes into stakeholders that relate to the study purpose. Hence, employees and leadership entities in these organizations are considered to be the most relevant individuals to include in the sample size of 50. Therefore, since the organizations considered are selected and only management & employees are considered, the sampling methods moves from random to being purposive as it aims to accomplish a specific duty which reflects leadership roles and effects of those leadership roles on employee and organizational performance (Levy, and Lemeshow, 2013).

3.6 The Data Primary & Secondary

When considering the data for use in this study, the two normally used data types, primary & secondary are taken into account. Firstly, primary data is only acquirable from primary sources such as personal surveys. In this case the survey will be conducted through Survey Monkey. Secondary data on the other hand, is an account from others’ accounts which may take the form of published work, research journals, peer-reviewed books, and any other non-primary source of information (Irwin, 2013). However, the applicability of primary and secondary data sets in this study is to ensure that they complement each other to bring about better outcomes. In addition, the use of primary data alone is not advised since academic research cannot be authentic without theoretical basis (Irwin, 2013). On the other hand, secondary data is also unusable alone in this study since the method at hand requires survey results to be linked with theory. Hence, by combining secondary and primary data, quantitative outcomes from the primary sources are compared with secondary data links through theory review.

The primary data in this case takes into account descriptive terms used as multiple choices for theory-based statements. These statements indicate the relationship between leadership styles and job & organizational performance. However, to quantify the descriptive terms, each terms is considered with reference to its weight. These weights ranging from 5 to 1, showcase whether the sample accepts or rejects the statement with reference to the organizations and leadership styles they are subjected to. However, in order to report whether or not the quantified data links well with relevant theory and leadership concepts, secondary data offers merits for validating or invalidating the results. Therefore, primary data from first hand sources is taken into account with respect to secondary data perceptions of previous authors’ accounts.

3.7 Data Collection Methods

Written inquiries are most common in collecting data. They influence positivist data collection methods in ways that they are easy to analyse, and the statistical analysis that can process them are readily available. Questionnaires are cost effective when compared to the face-to-face interviews, and even the tape recorded interviews. It is mostly due to the high costs of travel time associated with meetings (Fowler, 2013).

On the other hand, questionnaires and online surveys are less intrusive than face-to-face, telephone and tape recorded interviews. They also give the respondents time and space to understand and appropriately answer questions asked by the researcher/surveyor. They do not interrupt the respondents as experienced in the case of interviews (Irwin, 2013). On the other hand, questionnaires and online surveys are not suitable for some individuals. For example, poorly educated people lack reading skills, misuse turns off some people. However, inquiries especially the written ones reduce the researcher's bias since there is uniformity of questions. Several investigators have argued that interviewer voice mannerisms and inflexions make bias responses unlike for the written surveys where there is no interviewer to skew the information from the respondents (Fowler, 2013). As a result, this study takes into account online survey through Survey Monkey. The survey is merited by the affordability and quality of organization presented. The preference of Survey Monkey over questionnaires or interviews is because they consume far less resources such as time. In addition, online survey can be saved for later analysis without the fear of loss of data.

Online surveys start with a questionnaire whose construction depends upon the nature of inquiry. As a result, the next heading shows how the questionnaire is constructed and scaled for measurement.

3.8 Questionnaire Construction (Measurement)

The questionnaire construction takes primarily the concepts of leadership, organizational performance, and job satisfaction into account before the setting of the questions. In addition, in order to stay relevant with a specific focus, the development of the questions takes into account a small number of relevant questions which all connect to the concepts of leadership, job satisfaction, and organizational performance. However, as the research method’s approach takes into account quantitative analysis in complementing qualitative analysis, each of the questionnaire questions is developed with a set of 5 multiple choices from a unified scale. The unification of the scale is for making sure that statistical analysis which take into account any particular set of responses ends up with the same type of relevance (Lewis, 2015). For instance, affirmative answers are given higher counts on the scale. Thus, all multiple choices requesting for agreement of rejection of the question statement are grouped as affirmative while those that do not agree with the statements are consider negative remarks. However, in order to statistically represent the raw data well, the unification process of the questionnaire takes into account 5 multiple answers for each question (Lewis, 2015).

The unifying scale is the Likert-5 scale which takes into account 5 choices each coded with a numerical from 5 to 1 where 5 and 1 represent the highest and the lowest levels of agreement. At 3, responses are neutral while at 5 responses indicate strong agreement. At 1, responses indicate strong disagreement with the questionnaire statements. In addition, since all the questions have the same number and purpose of multiple choices, the respondents agreeing or disagreeing with any particular questionnaire entry are quantified such that the number of respondents supporting an affirmative view may be compared under the same question with other views (Irwin, 2013). Through this approach, the association of a question’s statement with the aspects of leadership styles, job satisfaction, and organizational performance can be deciphered from statistical analysis’ results. However, based on the test carried out and its association with the study hypothesis, response count per answer will be the major focus of the study (Bryman, 2015).

3.9 Fieldwork

The study at hand does not take into account observational approach a valid approach in this case. However, the need to be in the field to identify organizations as well as conduct a sampling procedure is highly relied on. As a result, fieldwork is considered in this study as it is vital in the development of the study and in particular, the interaction with the sample. Therefore, in order to attain the needed information from the sample, the non-probabilistic approach demands that the sample be identified with respect to its roles in organizational leadership and effects of the same (Men, & Stacks, 2013). After the identification of the organizations from which leadership and employee entities can be selected from, the purpose of participation is a vital area to identify participants with. Therefore, selection of representative personnel would take face-to-face discussion with the leadership groups of the selected companies to acquire participation consent for those willing to participate.

In addition, while electronic questionnaires are preferred over hard copies, the delivery method is also a determinant as ethical limitations may hinder the acquisition of contact information from participants. Hence, to remedy this situation, fieldwork will also be involved with the delivery of questionnaires to the organizations where they will be distributed internally by a none participant to such as the front desks of those organizations. Upon the completion of the questionnaire filling, the copies will be collected and counted to identify whether all qualify for the analysis. All questionnaires bearing personal information will be counted as well but for ethical reasons, none of the personal information, occurring by a commission error, will be used in any way or disclosed to any party for commercial or any other purposes (Lewis, 2015).

3.10 Data Analysis plan

The data analysis plan takes into account the success of other stages of the study. Unless the study has a data to work with, no analysis can be taken into consideration. Thus, upon the completion of the fieldwork, data will be compiled using MS Excel or entered straight into a SPSS spreadsheet. For data compiled using MS Excel, it will be imported to SPSS for statistical analysis. However, data entered directly into the SPSS spreadsheets will be processed without the transfer to another program. The choice of SPSS is merited by the statistical functions which take into account hypothesis testing, reliability testing, and validity testing. As earlier stated that correlations and regressions tests will be conducted, reliability and validity testing will also be taken into account.

While correlations and regression tests are for the association of variables and for testing significance of the same, reliability and validity tests are employed to confirm whether the tests carried out and the achieved results are reliable enough as they relate to different views and perspectives of the sample. In this case, reliability and validity tests have no association with the hypothesis but rather the assessment tool applied (Robson, and McCartan, 2016). The administration of the tests will require the testing of the assessment tool in order to invalidate any chances of human errors or the use of wrong type of data within the assessment tool. For the testing of the validity and reliability, Cronbach’s and Bartlett’s tests are applied. As initially stated, these tests can comfortably be carried out using similar functions of the SPSS program (Robson, and McCartan, 2016).

3.11 Chapter summary

The methodology chapter takes into account the positivism approach in which statistical tests, among them correlation and regressions, are considered. Through statistical testing, the study will be able to test and report the significance of variables in relation to leadership styles, job satisfaction, and the overall organizational performance. With a sample of 50 from selected organizations, the study will have applied the non-probability purposive approach to select relevant respondents which will work the questionnaire data collection instrument. The development of the questionnaire considered multiple choices classified in terms of Likert-5 scale to ensure for the unification and quantification purposes.

In addition, the data collected with the instrument will be compiled upon the completion of fieldwork which will be relied on for the submission and collection of hardcopy questionnaires. SPSS direct entry or MS Excel’s spreadsheets will be used for the compilation. However, since SPSS is selected as the statistics program to go with, MS Excel compilation method will involve importation of the data to SPSS for the analyses. In testing validity and reliability, the study will take Cronbach’s and Bartlett’s tests to assess the statistical tools applied. With reference to data analysis, correlations and regression tests will aim at showing the associations of the variables with regards to the hypotheses at hand.

Upon the completion of the methodology chapter, the following chapter is the findings chapter whose role is to state the findings of the study after data collection and analysis. The presentation of results is an essential section which showcases the output of the study methodology in order to open evidence backed discussion.