상황적 리더십이론의 검증: 변수 간 관계와 분석수준을 중심으로

In this paper we have suggested that situational leadership theory(SLT) is a theoretically valid theory from a level of analysis perspective and is competitive with other leadership theories from variable relationships and levels of analysis perspectives. For example, at the group level SLT indicates that the relationship between leader behavior and leadership effectiveness(group performance) is moderated by group maturity on the assumption that a leader homogeneously behaves toward subordinates in the same group on the basis of his/her own style. This group-level SLT is competitive with the average leadership style(ALS) theory in which leader behavior based on leadership style relates to group performance regardless of group-level maturity. At the individual level SLT indicates that the relationship between leader behavior and subordinate performance(leadership effectiveness) depends on subordinate(individual-level) maturity on the assumption that a leader differently behaves toward each subordinate in the same group. This individual-level SLT is competitive with the individualized leadership(IL) theory in which the relationships among subordinate maturity, leader behavior and subordinate performance are positive. At the group-parts level SLT indicates that the relationship between leader behavior and subordinate performance depends on subordinates’ relative maturity on the assumption that a leader behaves differently toward in- and out-group members(subordinates) in the same group. This group-parts level SLT is competitive with the vertical dyad linkage(VDL) theory in which a leader differentiates in- and out-group members on the basis of members’ relative maturity levels and show different behaviors toward in- and out-group members. We have empirically tested these three types of SLT and their own competitive theories through correlational analysis, multiple regression analysis, and ANOVA. We have collected data from 120 employees of 36 work groups in a large electronic company at Kwangju in Korea. The results show that the three types of SLT are not supported. The results also show that the ALS and VDL theories are not supported. However, the results support the individualized leadership theory: The relationships among leader behavior, subordinate performance, and subordinate maturity are positive. These results indicate that subordinate maturity does not moderate the relationship between leader behavior and subordinate performance at the individual, group and group-parts levels. However, the results indicate that subordinate maturity relates to leader behavior and subordinate performance. In other words, a leader shows different behaviors toward subordinates on one-on-one and subordinate-maturity basis. For example, a leader shows high degree of consideration behavior toward a subordinate with high level of maturity, whereas the same leader shows low degree of consideration behavior toward another subordinate with low level of maturity. These results are discussed in terms of social comparison theory and limitations of this study are also discussed.