Preferred leadership behaviours: exploratory results from Romania, Germany, and the UK

Abstract

Purpose

To compare preferences of business managers for kinds of explicit leader behaviour from three European countries, and to determine similarities and differences, indicating requirements for management practices and expatriate management development and training.

Design/methodology/approach

Samples of managers from Romania, Germany, and the UK are compared using the factor scores of the Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire XII to determine the kinds of behaviour they prefer from leaders.

Findings

Significant differences are observed between all three samples, indicating different leader style preferences. Comparisons and discussions are made concerning the relationships with the Hofstede value dimensions.

Originality/value

Shows that different leader behaviours should be employed in business situations in different countries to successfully guide and motivate employees.

Citation

Littrell, R.F. and Nicolae Valentin, L. (2005), "Preferred leadership behaviours: exploratory results from Romania, Germany, and the UK", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 24 No. 5, pp. 421-442. https://doi.org/10.1108/02621710510598445