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A TEST OF THE SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP THEORY
Author(s) -
BLANK WARREN,
GREEN STEPHEN G.,
WEITZEL JOHN R.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
personnel psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.076
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1744-6570
pISSN - 0031-5826
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6570.1990.tb02397.x
Subject(s) - psychology , situational ethics , situational leadership theory , social psychology , maturity (psychological) , test (biology) , empirical research , leadership theory , task (project management) , applied psychology , leadership , transactional leadership , developmental psychology , management , epistemology , shared leadership , paleontology , philosophy , economics , biology
Hersey and Blanchard's situational leadership theory (1982) is widely known and used, but has limited, mixed empirical validation. This study examines the underlying assumptions regarding the theory's prescriptions that subordinate maturity moderates the relationship of leader task and relationship behaviors with indicants of leader effectiveness. Results of this analysis do not support these assumptions. An examination of the more complex predictions of the theory also show little support for it. Findings are discussed in terms of future research and theory development.