AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF LEADERSHIP STYLE ON ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN KADUNA POLYTECHNIC
Abstract
This study assesses the effect of leadership style on organizational development in Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The polytechnic, established in 1956 as Kaduna Technical Institute and later designated as Kaduna Polytechnic in 1968, stands as one of the largest technical institutions in Africa. Despite its historical significance and substantial resources—including over 160 PhD holders and extensive equipment—the institution has faced considerable challenges, including distorted academic calendars, disoriented staff, dilapidated infrastructure, and stagnation in staff promotion. Leadership has emerged as a critical factor influencing the trajectory of organizational development in tertiary institutions, with research indicating that leadership style significantly impacts institutional effectiveness.
The study examines various leadership styles—including transformational, transactional, democratic, autocratic, and laissez-faire—and their respective effects on organizational development indicators such as staff performance, institutional effectiveness, employee motivation, and overall organizational growth. Drawing on Full Range Leadership Theory and Contingency Theory as theoretical frameworks, the research adopts a survey research design, employing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The study population comprises academic and non-academic staff of Kaduna Polytechnic, with data analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Preliminary findings suggest that leadership style plays a significant role in shaping organizational development outcomes, with transformational and democratic leadership styles showing positive associations with staff performance and institutional effectiveness. Conversely, authoritarian and coercive leadership styles, which have historically characterized some multicampus polytechnic administrations, may impede organizational growth and employee morale. The study recommends the adoption of more participatory and transformational leadership approaches to foster sustainable organizational development in Kaduna Polytechnic.
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