Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2016 An Exploration of Leadership Styles and Motivation in Egyptian Business Organizations Nady Ahmed El-Zayaty Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons, and the Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Nady El-Zayaty has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Robert Levasseur, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty Dr. Godwin Igein, Committee Member, Management Faculty Dr. David Bouvin, University Reviewer, Management Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2016 Abstract An Exploration of Leadership Styles and Motivation in Egyptian Business Organizations by Nady El-Zayaty MBA, University of Findlay, 2009 BS, American University in Cairo, 2008 BA, American University in Cairo, 2008 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University February 2016 Abstract Leadership styles can have a profound impact on employee motivation and performance. The changing global business landscape has drawn much attention to transformational leadership as an approach that addresses the demands of organizations in this complex environment. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to understand the nature of employee motivation with regard to leadership styles and the role of transformational leadership in Egyptian business organizations. Seventeen Egyptian professionals were recruited through a combination of e-mail and telephone procedures and were interviewed regarding their experiences with organizational leaders; their perception of the ideal organizational leader; their feelings about the tenets of transformational leadership theory; and how leadership styles influence their job performance, job satisfaction, and the achievement of their career related goals. Data were analyzed and emerging patterns and themes were established, such as participants holding largely negative views regarding the majority of leadership behaviors and employee motivation techniques they presently experience and being very receptive to the majority of aspects of transformational leadership. These patterns and themes culminated in the development of a theory for the ideal leadership style for Egyptian employees. The study yielded information that can make it easier to lead and motivate employees in Egyptian business organizations, and increase the ability of Egyptian organizations to effect positive social change by way of leadership practices that allow organizational stakeholders to enjoy the positive impact on society of organizations that are better led, more productive, and more focused on a greater sense of social wellness. An Exploration of Leadership Styles and Motivation in Egyptian Business Organizations by Nady El-Zayaty MBA, University of Findlay, 2009 BS, American University in Cairo, 2008 BA, American University in Cairo, 2008 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University February 2016 Dedication I would like to dedicate this work to my parents whose endless toil and patience has helped me become the person I am today. Their guidance and continued support through the many ups and downs in my life will never be forgotten. To my friends all over the globe, you all mean more to me thank you know. Know that each and every one of you has impacted my life more than you think. Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Robert Levasseur for fulfilling the roles of mentor and chairperson of my dissertation committee. From periods of virtual inactivity to bursts of exceptional progress, you have helped me stay motivated and believe that my doctoral journey was one that would one day reach completion. Your continued support and guidance has proven invaluable. I would also like to offer a special thank you to Dr. Godwin Igein for acting as my second committee member and Dr. David Bouvin for acting as my university research reviewer. The completion of this study and the fruition of my dream of attaining my doctorate would not have come to pass without your help. Table of Contents List of Tables……………………………………………………….…………………….iv Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background of the Study ...............................................................................................2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................4 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................5 Research Questions ........................................................................................................6 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................6 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................7 Definitions......................................................................................................................9 Assumptions ...................................................................................................................9 Scope and Delimitations ................................................................................................9 Limitations ...................................................................................................................10 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................10 Significance to Theory .......................................................................................... 10 Significance to Practice......................................................................................... 11 Significance to Social Change .............................................................................. 11 Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................12 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................13 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................16 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................18 Transformational Leadership Theory ..........................................................................21 i Transactional Leadership ...................................................................................... 21 Transformational Leadership ................................................................................ 25 The Four Dimensions of Transformational Leadership ........................................ 27 Transformational Leadership, Diversity, and Follower Performance .........................32 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs .............................................................................. 35 Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory ............................................................... 37 Leading Culturally Diverse Teams ..............................................................................41 Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory .............................................................. 41 The Cultural Dimensions of Egypt ....................................................................... 44 Transformational Leadership and Cultural Intelligence ..............................................50 Transformational Leadership and Intercultural Competence ......................................54 Transformational Leadership and Organizational Stakeholders ..................................55 Shortcomings of Transformational Leadership ...........................................................58 Other Leadership Styles ...............................................................................................60 Transformational Leadership in Non-Western Contexts .............................................64 Leadership in the Arab World ......................................................................................67 Summary and Conclusions ..........................................................................................68 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................71 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................71 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................73