Transformational, Transactional or Laissez-Faire: What Styles do University Librarians Practice?

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to identify the leadership style that is being practiced by librarians in university libraries. In this quantitative study, questionnaire was used to collect data from 201 librarians of four universities in Malaysia. The results indicate that librarians are practising more on transformational leadership style ((M = 4.01) followed by laissez-faire leadership style (M = 3.73). Transactional leadership style (M = 3.67) is the least practised as compared to the transformational and laissez-faire leadership style. In addition, transactional leadership style showed significant difference among age groups. The result further indicated that there were significant differences on transformational leadership and transactional leadership between levels of positions and working experience of respondents. The outcome of this study is expected to assist practitioners to recognise their styles of leadership and find other factors that can help them to engage with subordinates in the organisation. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]