Leadership Qualities Among Guides to Sathuragiri Hill Pilgrims Imirj-Iv(1) Issn:2456 4613

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AMONG GUIDES TO SATHURAGIRI HILL PILGRIMS IMIRJ-IV(1) ISSN:2456 4613

International Multidisciplinary Innovative Research Journal -An International refereed e-journal

ISSN: 2456 – 4613 Volume – IV Issue – 1 November - 2019

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AMONG GUIDES TO SATHURAGIRI HILL PILGRIMS Packialakshmi.P Research Scholar, Department of Commerce, V.V.Vanniaperumal College for Women, Virudhunagar, India.

Corresponding Author: [email protected] ABSTRACT Leadership is the process of influencing the behavior, attitudes, activities and efforts of an individual or a group for achieving common goals. To be a successful leader, a tour guide must possess the qualities of foresight drive, initiative, self-confidence and personal integrity. Different situation may demand different types of leadership. In modern times tourism is an important catalyst to the socio-economic development at global and regional levels. It contributes in multiple ways. Today, without the service of tour guides, organized tourism is highly difficult. The main objective of the study is to analyze the leadership qualities among the guides from the forest department and sample guides from the public. The study is confined to know about the leadership qualities among Guides to Sathuragiri Hill Pilgrims in Srivilliputtur Taluk, Virudhunagar District, Tamilnadu. Convenient sampling technique has been adopted for this study. Keywords: Leadership qualities, Tour Guide. INTRODUCTION Leadership is the process of and personal integrity. Different situation influencing the behavior, attitudes, activities may demand different type of leadership. and efforts of an individual or a group for In modern times tourism is an achieving common goals. To be a successful important catalyst to the socio-economic leader, a manager must possess the qualities development at global and regional levels. of foresight drive, initiative, self-confidence The economic benefits that flow into the

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AMONG GUIDES TO SATHURAGIRI HILL PILGRIMS IMIRJ-IV(1) ISSN:2456 4613

country through growth of tourism in the OBJECTIVES form of increased revenues, business The following are the objectives of receipts, employment, wages and salary the present study. income and Central, State and local tax  To present the socio-economic profile of receipts can contribute towards overall the sample guides respondents in the socio-economic improvement and study area. accelerated growth of an economy. Today,  To analyze the leadership qualities without the service of tour guides, organized among the sample guides. tourism is highly difficult. So, it is necessary  To offer suitable suggestions on the to study about tour guides. basis of findings of the study to gain popularity to Virudhunagar District by STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM means of tours and treks. Tour guides are one of the key front- SCOPE OF THE STUDY line players in the tourism industry. Through The study is confined to know about their knowledge, interpretation of the Leadership Qualities among Guides to destination attractions and culture, Sathuragiri Hill Pilgrims in Srivilliputtur communication skills and service nature, Taluk, Virudhunagar District, Tamilnadu. they have an ability to transform the tourists‟ visit from a tour into an experience. AREA OF THE STUDY Tour guide is performing the role of a Sathuragiri otherwise known as leader. Virudhunagar district is famous for „Sundara Mahalingam Hill‟ is situated 10 temples and foods. In Virudhunagar District km from Watrap near Srivilliputtur in Sathuragiri hill is very famous. One has to Virudhunagar District. Virudhunagar is cross seven hills at the same time to reach dotted with a large number of temples with Sathuragiri. There won‟t be a proper road or historical significance. The neighboring restroom or any other facilities. So, guidance places of Virudhunagar also have some from guides or experienced persons is a interesting places for the tourists and several must to trek. Here this study has been popular temples for pilgrims. undertaken to know about the leadership METHODOLOGY qualities among guides to Sathuragiri Hill For this research, the primary data pilgrims in Virudhunagar District. have been collected from a sample of 30

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AMONG GUIDES TO SATHURAGIRI HILL PILGRIMS IMIRJ-IV(1) ISSN:2456 4613

guide respondents from Thaniparai Ram Marital Married 25 (83%) Status Unmarried 5 (17%) Nagar in Srivilliputtur Taluk. Interview No. of Up to two 5 (17%) Members in Three/Four 10 (33.33%) schedule was used as primary data collection the Family More than four 15 (50%) tool. Convenient sampling technique has Occupation Primarily 20 (67%) as guide Not primarily 10 (33%) been used to select 30 respondents. Other Self – employed(own 6 (20%) required data have been collected from shop) Additional Agriculture in 3 (10%) secondary sources including advanced books occupation own farm Hired and reliable websites. 18 (60%) servant(coolie) SOCIO ECONOMIC PROFILE OF THE Teacher 3 (10%) Below RESPONDENTS 10 (33%) Rs.6000 The researcher has collected the socio- Rs.6000- 6 (20%) Family 10000 economic details of the respondents such as, Income Rs.10000- 11(37%) age, educational status, marital status, 15000 Rs. Above 3(10%) employment status and family income. The 15000 Source: Primary Data respondents have been classified on the The following outcomes are drawn from basis of these socio-economic variables. The Table-1: results are given below. It is understood that  70 % are male. out of 30 respondents,  50 % are from the age group of 30-40 Table 1: Demographic Variable-wise years. Classification of Respondents No. of  44 % are with middle school level Variables Category Respondents education. Male 21 (70%) Gender Female 9 (30%)  80 % are married. Below 30 8 (27%) years  50 % are having more than four members 30-40 years 15 (50%) Age 40-50 years 5 (16%) in their family. Above 50 2 (7%) years  58 % are hired servants. Illiterate 2 (6%)  67 % are having their primary Up to Primary 10 (33.33%) School occupation as guide. Up to Middle Educational 13 (44%) School  37 % are having monthly family income Qualification Up to high 4 (13.33%) school between Rs.10,000 and Rs.15, 000. Others (T. 1(3.33%) Ted.)

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AMONG GUIDES TO SATHURAGIRI HILL PILGRIMS IMIRJ-IV(1) ISSN:2456 4613

LEADERSHIP STYLES nature of guides and their leadership Leadership is the ability to secure strategy. desirable actions from a group of followers a) FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS voluntarily, without the use of coercion. The In order to find the leadership leadership style may be of three categories - qualities among sample guides from the autocratic leadership, democratic leadership forest department (A) and sample guides and laissez-faire leadership style. Autocratic from the public(B), (based on making the leader believes centralization of powers. decisions and implementing them) nine Democratic leader believes in quality statements were given to the decentralization of powers. Laissez-faire respondent with a request to tick any of the style of leadership commands less three columns „Always‟(3), „Sometimes‟(2), popularity than autocratic and democratic or „ Never‟(1). leadership styles. This study analyses the Mean score has been computed. The result is presented in the Table- 2 Table 2: Basic Findings for Analysis of Leadership Qualities

Sometimes (Neither Always Never Particulars Autocratic nor Total Score Mean Score Sl. (Autocratic) (Democratic) democratic) No. Making and Implementing A B A B A B A B A B Decision 1 Fixing the date 8 2 2 1 10 7 38 15 1.9 1.5 2 Time schedule 15 7 3 2 2 1 53 26 2.65 2.6 3 Order of place to be visited 10 6 8 2 2 2 48 24 2.4 2.4 4 Purchase of pooja things 8 5 8 3 4 2 44 23 2.2 2.3 5 Donating and carrying things 12 4 4 4 4 2 48 22 2.4 2.2 6 Method of worshipping Gods 6 5 12 2 2 3 44 22 2.2 2.2 7 Charge for guiding 4 6 12 2 4 2 40 24 2.0 2.4 8 Providing fund for annathanam 11 8 6 1 3 1 48 27 2.4 2.7 9 Carrying luggage by the helpers 5 7 12 2 3 1 42 26 2.1 2.6 Source: Primary data Source: Primary data It is inferred from Table-2 that the b) ONE SAMPLE „t‟- TEST ANALYSIS OF mean score in all the cases exceeds 1.5 LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AMONG GUIDES FROM FOREST DEPARTMENT (50%).Hence, it can be interpreted that the guide are mostly following autocratic style.

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AMONG GUIDES TO SATHURAGIRI HILL PILGRIMS IMIRJ-IV(1) ISSN:2456 4613

HYPOTHESIS: democratic nor autocratic in relation to The null hypotheses framed are “Guides concerned quality”. μ = 1.5;n = 20 from the forest department are neither Table 3: Analysis of Leadership Qualities among Guides from the Forest Department Result of Sl. Calculated Table Qualities ˉ̅X Μ 휎 Null Inference No. Value Value hypothesis Neither democratic 1 Fixing the date 1.9 1.5 0.94 1.90 2.861 Accepted nor autocratic 2 Following Time schedule 2.65 1.5 0.65 7.90 2.861 Rejected Autocratic 3 Order of places to be visited 2.4 1.5 0.66 6.09 2.861 Rejected Autocratic 4 Purchase of pooja things 2.2 1.5 0.74 4.22 2.861 Rejected Autocratic 5 Donating and carrying things 2.4 1.5 0.8 5.02 2.861 Rejected Autocratic 6 Worshiping gods 2.2 1.5 0.6 5.21 2.861 Rejected Autocratic 7 Charge for guide 2 1.5 0.63 3.54 2.861 Rejected Autocratic Providing fund for 8 2.4 1.5 0.73 5.51 2.861 Rejected Autocratic annadhanam 9 Carrying luggage by helpers 2.1 1.5 0.62 4.32 2.861 Rejected Autocratic Source: Computations from primary data Source: Computations from primary data HYPOTHESES: It is understood from Table-3 that in The null hypotheses framed are; eight out of nine qualities, the guides from “Guides from public are neither the forest department are autocratic leaders. democratic(D) nor autocratic (A) in relation c) ONE SAMPLE„T‟- TEST OF ANALYSIS OF to concerned quality”. μ = 1.5; n = 10 LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AMONG GUIDES FROM PUBLIC Table 4: Analysis of Leadership Qualities among Guides from the Public S. Calculated Table Result of Null Qualities ˉ̅X Μ 휎 Inference No value value hypothesis 1 Fixing the date 1.5 1.5 0.80 0 3.250 Accepted Neither „D‟nor „A‟ Following Time 2 2.6 1.5 0.66 5.26 3.250 Rejected Autocratic schedule Order of places 3 2.4 1.5 0.8 3.55 3.250 Rejected Autocratic to be visited Purchase of 4 2.3 1.5 0.78 3.24 3.250 Accepted Neither „D‟nor „A‟ pooja things Donating and 5 2.2 1.5 0.74 2.98 3.250 Accepted Neither „D‟nor „A‟ carrying things Worshiping 6 2.2 1.5 0.87 2.54 3.250 Accepted Neither „D‟nor „A‟ gods 7 Charge for guide 2.4 1.5 0.8 3.55 3.250 Rejected Autocratic 8 Providing fund 2.7 1.5 0.64 5.92 3.250 Rejected Autocratic

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AMONG GUIDES TO SATHURAGIRI HILL PILGRIMS IMIRJ-IV(1) ISSN:2456 4613

for annadhanam Carrying 9 luggage by 2.6 1.5 0.66 5.26 3.250 Rejected Autocratic helpers Source: Computations from primary data It is understood from Table-4 that in guiding Providing fund five out of nine qualities, the guides from 0.82 0.92 for annadhanam forest department are autocratic leaders. Carrying luggage 0.83 1.54 d) BETWEEN SAMPLES „t‟ TEST ANALYSIS OF by helpers Source: Computation from primary data. LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AMONG GUIDES FROM THE FOREST DEPARTMENT AND Result: Ho is accepted in all cases It is GUIDES FROM THE PUBLIC. inferred that, whoever may be the guides HYPOTHESES: (from forest department/ public) for The null hypotheses framed: “There pilgrimage to sathuragiri; their leadership is no significant difference in the leadership styles are proved to be the same, and that too style of guides from the forest department of nearly autocratic style. and guides from the public in relation to SUGGESTIONS concerned quality”. The pilgrims are suggested to follow Table 5: Analysis of Leadership Qualities the guides in matters relating to the fixing between Samples the date, time schedule and order of places Calculated „S‟ „t‟ value as only the guides know well about the Qualities value (Table value geographical features of Sathuragiri. 2.763) The guides are suggested to be Fixing the date 0.91 1.10 Following time democratic in matters related to purchase 0.42 0.28 schedule of things, charge for guiding, providing Order of places to 0.89 0 be visited fund for annathanam, method of Purchase of pooja worshiping gods, and donating and 0.89 0.28 things carrying things. This will be helpful for Donating and 0.87 0.56 carrying things popularizing the tourist spot, leading to Method of development. worshiping the 0.93 0 gods Trekking on Sathuragiri hills may be Charge for 0.89 1.13 included as part of extension activities.

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AMONG GUIDES TO SATHURAGIRI HILL PILGRIMS IMIRJ-IV(1) ISSN:2456 4613

The forest department is suggested to through this research may be helpful to give trekking training to these students improve the guides‟ position as well as to who can also act as guides. develop and improve the tourism services. REFERENCE CONCLUSION 1. Gupta SP (2008). Statistical Method, The performance of a tour guide can Sultan Chands and Sons. shape the expectation of tourists, related to 2. Khanka, SS, (2002), Organisational the performance of other tour guides. In this behavior, S.Chand and Company context, tour guides should provide a service Ltd, New Delhi. to meet the expectations of tourists by taking 3. Kothari, CR, (2015). Research needs, wishes and cultural differences of Methodology:Methods and tourists into consideration. In this research, Techniques, Wiley Eastern Ltd., the researcher has identified the leadership New Delhi. qualities among the guides to Sathuragiri 4. Pillai, RSN, and Bagavthi (2015). Hill pilgrims. The findings of the research Statistics, S.Chand and Company Pvt shows, the guides from the forest Ltd, New Delhi. departments and guides from the public are 5. https://www.tourism.net neither democratic nor autocratic. The 6. https://www.researchgate.net/publica suggestions that have been forwarded tion/303554875