Socio-Cultural Factor As Determinant of Female Leadership Quality; Implications for Human Resource Development

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of socio-cultural factors on the leadership quality of male and female leaders in work organisations that could enhance organisational effectiveness. A descriptive survey research design method was adopted for the study. One hundred and fifty respondents from five purposefully selected work organisations were selected for the study, thirty randomly selected respondents from each workplace. 145 well filled questionnaires out of the 150 were used for data analysis. The questionnaire used as the instrument for data collection was titled: ‘Socio-Cultural Factors and Gender Leadership Quality Scale’ (SOCFGLQS). Collected data were analysed and interpreted accordingly with the aid of descriptive statistical techniques such as total scores, frequencies and percentages. The hypotheses were tested using chi-square method of data analysis at 0.05 alpha levels. Findings reveal that female mother’s instinct promotes organisational effectiveness and that female leader’s staffcenteredness positively affects organisational performance. Also, employees’ job performance is significantly influenced by male headship. This shows that right leadership quality which could be an off-shoot of society’s culture could promote organisational effectiveness, and socio-cultural factors play great role in the quality of the leader and by extension the effectiveness of the organisation. It is recommended that the socio-cultural beliefs and practices that inhibit good leadership in workplace should be discarded and with good leadership training and holistic re-orientation, male and female leaders would perform maximally to enhance better relationship in the workplace for effective organisation performance.