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The Blackwell Encyclopedic Dictionary of Organizational Behavior

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followers perform dissatisfying tasks or work under dissatisfying conditions.<br />

Page 405<br />

Participative-consultative leader behavior will be motivational when subordinates have a high need for<br />

independence and/or knowledge that can contribute to effective DECISION MAKING by the leader.<br />

Achievement-improvement oriented leader behavior will add challenge to subordinate's jobs and thus<br />

increase the instrinsic satisfaction subordinates experienced as a result <strong>of</strong> goal accomplishment (see<br />

EXTRINSIC/INTRINSIC MOTIVATION).<br />

When the task demands <strong>of</strong> followers are satisfying but ambiguous, leader-directive behavior will be a<br />

source <strong>of</strong> clarification.<br />

Subordinates whose jobs are satisfying, but which have ambiguous performance demands will view<br />

leader-directive behavior as satisfying and instrumental for performance.<br />

Subordinates whose jobs are dissatisfying, but impose unambiguous performance demands, will view<br />

leader-directive behavior as over-controlling and dissatisfying.<br />

When subordinates' tasks or work environment are dangerous, monotonous, stressful, or frustrating,<br />

supportive-leader behavior will lead to increased subordinate effort and satisfaction by increasing selfconfidence,<br />

lowering ANXIETY, and unpleasant aspects <strong>of</strong> the work.<br />

When tasks are interesting and enjoyable, and subordinates are confident, leader consideration will have<br />

little effect on follower satisfaction, motivation, or performance.<br />

Unfortunately, as Yukl (1994) has noted, the theory has not been adequately tested to date. Overall, the<br />

findings provide more support for the predicted effects <strong>of</strong> supportive-leader behavior than for directiveleader<br />

behavior. <strong>The</strong> findings suggest that leader-directive leader behavior does not always have the<br />

role clarifying and performance enhancing effects predicted by the theory.<br />

Because <strong>of</strong> the strong rationality assumptions <strong>of</strong> the theory it is most likely invalid when subordinates<br />

are under conditions <strong>of</strong> substantial STRESS or UNCERTAINTY. Such conditions make it impossible<br />

to formulate accurate and rational expectations <strong>of</strong> REWARDS contingent on effort expended. It is most<br />

likely that the theory holds under conditions <strong>of</strong> certainty or risk, and when subordinates are not highly<br />

stressed. Under such conditions probabilities can be assessed rationally. <strong>The</strong>refore these conditions<br />

satisfy the underlying rationality assumptions <strong>of</strong> the theory.<br />

See also Goal-setting; Leadership; Leadership contingencies; Performance, individual<br />

Bibliography<br />

House, R. J. (1971). A path-goal theory <strong>of</strong> leader effectiveness. Administrative Science Quarterly, 16,<br />

321–338.<br />

file:///C|/downloadnetlibrary/<strong>Blackwell</strong>%20Ency/nlReader.dll@BookID=48684&FileName=Page_5F405.html (1 <strong>of</strong> 2) [2008-04-01 01:29:56]

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