Investigating the relationship between leadership behavior and work engagement in South Africa: a path-goal approach

Akinlawon Amoo and Jamila Adam
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Akinlawon Amoo: Durban University of Technology, South Africa
Jamila Adam: Durban University of Technology, South Africa

in ABEM Conference Proceedings from Academy of Business and Emerging Markets (ABEM), Canada, currently edited by Satyendra Singh

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the leadership behavior of technical trainers and the work engagement of trainees in a Johannesburg training institute. Although many studies have investigated this relationship, few have done so using the “Path-Goal” leadership model within an apprenticeship and artisan training institute. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was carried out with participants completing the leadership behavior instrument (with two subscales of “participative leadership behavior” and “supportive leadership behavior”) and the 9-item Utrecht Work Engagement Survey. Results of the structural equation modelling revealed that “participative leadership behavior” is a statistically significant predictor of vigor, while “supportive leadership behavior” is a statistically significant predictor of vigor and dedication. The two leadership behavior scales had no statistically significant effect on the absorption subscale of work engagement. The findings emphasize the role played by both participative and supportive leadership behavior of trainers in the promotion of work engagement. Future studies should consider incorporating more than one training academy in the study and improving on the theoretical model by identifying other variables that influence work engagement.

Keywords: leadership; behavior; work; engagement; South Africa; path-goal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ris:abemcp:023441

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