A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE OF MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the current leadership style practices and challenges in Malo Koza Wereda public sector organizations and then to suggest techniques of overcoming the problems. To this end, descriptive survey research design as well as both quantitative and qualitative research approach was employed. The study included 23 sample public sector organizations selected by both purposive and stratified random sampling techniques. A total of 135 subjects composed of 39 office heads, 68 work process coordinators and 28 team leaders. A questionnaire of 135 copies were distributed and 100% of which were collected and face-to-face interview was conducted with leaders. The quantitative data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, percentage, independent sample t-test and ANOVA through SPSS version 20, whereas the qualitative data were analyzed in narration. The finding revealed that democratic leadership style was dominant in the study area with mean score value of 4.18 followed by transactional leadership style with mean score value of 2.92. These two styles were commonly practiced ones in the study area. In addition to this, the study disclosed that public reform program, leadership role, technology advancement and satisfying customers, government and employees were the main challenges for public sector organizations leaders (Mena <2.6). Moreover, the study indicated that leadership development strategy in study area were poor because of poor identification of leaders’ skill gaps & skill levels (Poor need assessment), poor coach systems and low continuous training program (Mean <2.6). Thus, the researcher recommended that public sector organizations leaders need to apply appropriate leadership style, prepare short, medium and long plan to handle leadership challenges; equip & train public sector organizations leaders to carefully implement leadership development strategies and to be effective in leadership. Besides alternative methods need to be sought through rigorous research.