The Influence of Demographic Characteristics on Leadership Practices Research Paper

The Influence of Demographic Characteristics on Leadership Practices in the Hotel Industry - Research Paper Example The rampant globalization of the international market has caused significant growth in the diversity of employee demographics. In order to keep up with the growing demands for quality and innovation, many organizations have formulated new management styles that promote interdependence among the workforce (Gould, 2008). With the aim of determining suitable management styles, various studies have been conducted on employee demographics and how it affects the performance of an organization (Tannenbaum and Schmidt, 2009). There are several management styles that have its advantages and limitations. Such management styles address specific points of interest within the workforce. However, better understanding has to be garnered in order to properly impose management programs that best suits the needs of a company and its subordinates. Moreover, it is necessary to understand how to eliminate or at least minimize the negative effects of social differences within the workforce through proper management techniques. The effects of social differences among the workforce have caused organizations to suffer in terms of performance. Discrimination has also emerged from such growing employee diversity (Appleby, 2007). It has become a necessity for organizations to respond to such issues through effective management programs (Sfodera, 2006). Moreover, the results of this study would be of great value to hotel management officers, enabling them to make better decisions in their management practices. Essentially, the management is the core to the successful performance of an organization (Tannenbaum and Schmidt, 2009). ... Research Objectives 1) To determine hotel employees’ perceptions of the leadership styles practiced within their organisation; 2) To ascertain whether demographic traits influence leadership style perceptions a) gender b) age c) nationality d) educational attainment; 3) To put forth recommendations for improving leadership practices within the hotel. Review of Related Literature Management Styles In the broad sense, management styles are the manner and techniques of handling subordinates and making decisions with them. There are various management styles that fit well in particular circumstances (Tannenbaum and Schmidt, 2009). Moreover, managers should impose different management styles in order to compensate for the weaknesses of every technique. Among the common management styles are Autocratic, Paternalistic, Democratic, Laissez-Faire, and Management by Walking Around (MBWA) Autocratic The Autocratic style is where a manager makes unilateral decisions without giving much co nsideration for the subordinates. This results to decisions and outcomes that reflect the personality and opinion of the manager. Such management style projects a confident, structured and well-managed business. However, the subordinates may end up becoming too dependent on the manager; thus, requiring more supervision (Hurley, 2010). Autocratic leaders could be further categorized into two types: the Directive Autocrat; and the Permissive Autocrat (Tannenbaum and Schmidt, 2009). The Directive Autocrat makes decisions unilaterally while giving much attention and close supervision of the subordinates. On the other hand, the Permissive Autocrat makes unilateral decisions while being more lenient on the subordinates, which enables them to