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The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which female managers utilise the transformational leadership style as a feature of their normal dealings as managers. Much of the available literature on leadership typologies refers to the need to identify leadership styles that are suited to managing in different and changing environments. In this regard, various leadership styles or orientations have been identified as useful for managing change. However very few studies have been pre-occupied with understanding the extent to which a particular type of leadership styles may be preferred over another particularly from a gender perspective.
A phenomenological paradigm was employed using qualitative techniques specifically open ended questions to gather data by way of interviews to gauge the respondentsÀŸ experiences as women in higher education management. The data was collected from a purposive sample of senior female managers at an urban university in South Africa. The data from the interviews were analysed with grounded theory. The results clearly show that the participants in the study demonstrate transformational leadership qualities. In addition to transformational leadership qualities, the participants reflected on sound management skills that are of utmost importance in the success of higher education institutions.
Publisher: Tshwane University of Technology
Year of Publication: 2012
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