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4 pages/≈1100 words
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4 Sources
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APA
Subject:
Education
Type:
Case Study
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English (U.S.)
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EDU509 Leadership and Organizational Theory Education Case Study

Case Study Instructions:

• Define contingency theory of leadership.
• Define Path-Goal theory of leadership.
• Evaluate and discuss the criticisms, or weaknesses, of contingency theory and Path-Goal theory.
Consider the following topics (and take notes) while you read:
• Leadership theories or leadership styles are generally based on the leader’s performance or effectiveness.
• What is the foundation of contingency leadership theory?
• What is the foundation of Path-Goal theory of leadership?
• What are some the criticisms, or weaknesses, of path-goal theory and contingency theory?
1. Wong-Mingji, D. (2013). Contingency theory of leadership. In E. Kessler (Ed.), Encyclopedia of management theory (pp. 148–152). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Inc.
2. MacDonald, H., & Sully de Luque, M. (2013). Path-goal theory of leadership. In E. Kessler (Ed.), Encyclopedia of management theory (pp. 580–584). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Inc.
3. Evans, M. G. (2002). Chapter 4: Path-goal theory of leadership. In C. Schriesheim & L. L. Neider (Eds.), Leadership (pp. 115–138). Greenwich, Conn: Information Age Publishing.
4. Ayman, R. (2002). Chapter 7: Contingency model of leadership effectiveness: Challenges and achievements. In C. Schriesheim & L. L. Neider (Eds.), Leadership (pp. 197–222). Greenwich, Conn: Information Age Publishing.
Case Assignment
Use the readings to write a 4-page paper (excluding the title page and reference list) that includes the following components:
A. Introduction
B. Describe the major components of contingency theory.
C. Describe the major components of Path-Goal theory.
D. Discuss the criticism, or weaknesses, of contingency theory and Path-Goal theory.
E. Follow APA style for Research paper (sample instructions will be uploaded) 4 Reference with hanging indent, please add page & paragraph number when using Direct Quotations.
• Use the Chapter 7 reading from Ayman (2002) to discuss the potential weaknesses of contingency theory.
• Use the Chapter 4 reading from Evans (2002) to discuss the potential weaknesses of Path-Goal theory.
F. Select one theory (contingency or Path-Goal) and reflect on its potential application to your current, or future, educational setting.
• Is this theory useful for a leader/manager?
• Is this theory useful to organizational success or student success?
G. Conclusion

Case Study Sample Content Preview:

Leadership and Organizational Theory
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course Name/Number
Instructor’s Name
Due Date
Leadership and Organizational Theory
Leadership is the process through which an individual in a leadership position influences members of his or her work unit to attain a certain common goal. At times, leading members of a work unit may require different styles and behaviors depending on the tasks, structures, situation, followers’ needs, and followers’ competence. As such, this paper will examine two leadership theories, focusing on how leaders motivate and influence employees to achieve goals and accomplish tasks in an organizational environment. The two theories chosen are (1) Contingency Theory and (2) Path-Goal Theory. For each leadership theory, a definition will be provided, major components will be described, the foundation of each theory will be discussed, and the weaknesses of each theory will be evaluated. After each of these theories has been reviewed, the Path-Goal theory will be discussed, reflecting on its potential application in the foreseeable future.
Contingency Theory of Leadership: Definition
The contingency theory of leadership is the product of Fred E. Fiedler extensive work on leadership effectiveness (Wong-Mingji, 2013, pg. 148). It states that the effectiveness of a leader is contingent (dependent) upon how his or her style of leadership matches the situation. Thus, a leader must determine what kind of leadership style he or she thrives in (Wong-Mingji, 2013, pg. 148).
Path-Goal Theory of Leadership: Definition
Articulated in 1971 by Robert House, The Path-Goal theory considers the successfulness of alternate leadership behaviors in varying circumstances (MacDonald & Sully, 2013, pg. 580). This theory came about after the realization that the attributes of the situational framework that leaders find themselves in plays a critical determining role in the behavior of a leader towards maximizing important employee outcomes such as work performance, satisfaction, and motivation (MacDonald & Sully, 2013, pg. 580).
Major Components of the Contingency Theory of Leadership
The contingency theory of leadership posits three major components that shape favorability of the group-task situation for leaders when it comes to how much control or influence they have over their followers (Wong-Mingji, 2013, pg. 148). These are: Determining the environmental and employee characteristics; choosing the optimal leadership style for each situation; and, concentrating on motivational factors that will help employees thrive.
Major Components of the Path-Goal Theory of Leadership
There Path-Goal theory has two major components including acceptability and motivation (Evans, 2002, pg. 116). A leader’s behavior will be accepted by subordinates only when the behavior is instrumental to the future success of the subordinate or provides an immediate source of satisfaction (Evans, 2002, pg. 116). Leaders are involved with training, staffing, and motivating the members of their work units (House & Mitchell, 1974, pg. 84 as cited in Evans, 2002, pg. 117). A leader’s motivational function involves increasing the kinds and number of...
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