ABSTRACT

This study assessed the link between leadership styles and organisational change in corporate organisations having First Nig Plc as its case study. The study adopted descriptive research design. A total number of one hundred and twenty nine (129) copies of questionnaire were administered to the respondents during the study; while a total number of one hundred and twenty (120) copies were properly filled and returned. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire. Chi-Square (X²) with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0) was employed for the analysis. Test of hypothesis was undertaken at five percent (5%) level of significance. Among other things the result of the study showed that leadership styles is a predictor of organisational change, there is a significant relationship between democratic leadership style and corporate performance, and that autocratic leadership style impacts negatively on employees’ job commitment. The study then recommended that managerial leadership development programs in First Bank Nig Plc should be designed to bring individuals from various levels and various units of the organisation together to share their experiences and interpret information about the organisation.

1.1       Background to the Study

When change in any industry is not properly managed, there is the tendency it will negatively affect corporate performance which may result in total closure of the organisation as it happens to many of the defunct banks in the past, or loss of valued employees or failure to meet financial objectives of shareholders and may eventually degenerate into customers dissatisfaction who could easily move to other competitors thereby affecting the overall financial performance of the firm.

The wave of various economic problems that led Enron, WorldCom and Cadbury to bankruptcy as well as the financial crisis witnessed globally in 2007 and 2008 especially in the banking industry have caused a lot of attention to be directed towards corporate leadership style (Onuegbu and Okeke, 2018).

Apart from cases of unethical practices in developed nations, evident have also shown in developing countries. For instance, Nigeria has witnessed increased in the rate of corporate failures. There were reported cases of corporate failure in Nigeria which were attributed to unethical practices of corporate leaders. The Nigerian banking sub-sector was at the halt of collapse in 1997, twenty-six commercial banks failed due to financial irregularities. In 2006, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, one of the leading Food and Beverages firms in Nigeria was affected by financial scandal (Bello, 2012).

Leadership requirement in today’s organisations in Nigerian perspective is very important to meet the global business challenges. On the other hand, leadership development is also a major consideration and challenge across the globe and has a major influence on corporate performance. There is a large amount of work done on leadership development and its impact on various factors in many parts of the world, however, there is very limited research conducted in Nigeria in the area of leadership styles and organisational change in corporate organisation. Hence, this study seeks to examine leadership styles and organisational change in corporate organisation with particular reference to First Nig Plc.

1.3       Objective of Study     

The main thrust of this research study is to examine leadership styles and organisational change in corporate organisation with particular reference to First Bank Nig Plc. Other specific objectives include:

1.   To investigate the link between leadership styles and organisational change.

2.   To examine the impact of democratic leadership style on corporate performance.

3.   To examine if there is any significant relationship between autocratic leadership style and employees’ job commitment.

4.   To examine if there is any significant relationship between leadership style and organisational growth.

1.4       Research Question 

The undertaking of this research project will beam a searchlight on the following research questions:

1.      What is the link between leadership styles and organisational change?

2.      What is the impact of democratic leadership style on corporate performance?

3.      How does autocratic leadership style impact on employees’ job commitment?

1.5       Research Hypotheses

The researcher intends to test the following hypotheses:

Hypothesis One:

H_o:      There is no significant relationship between leadership styles and    organisational change.

H_I:        There is a significant relationship between leadership styles and       organisational change.

Hypothesis Two:

H_o:      There is no significant relationship between democratic leadership style and         corporate performance.

H_I:        There is a significant relationship between democratic leadership style and            corporate performance.

Hypothesis Three:

H_o:      There is no significant relationship between autocratic leadership style and           employees’ job commitment.

H_I:        There is a significant relationship between autocratic leadership style and employees’ job commitment.

1.8       Significance of the Study