Comparative Analysis between Theoretical Leadership Characteristics Envisioned for the 21st Century by Leadership Theorists and those held by final year Master Students.

Jasna Brkic

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Leadership has been changing over time to adapt to the changes in external environment, social context and the new reality of the 21st century, fundamentally different than the one in the 20th century. The literature review was focused on the development of leadership theories and environmental changes which influenced shifts in views, approaches and our understanding of leadership. The main aim of an exploratory empirical study was to find out whether there is a congruence between literature views and students’ views on leadership characteristics required for the 21st century. Leadership characteristics were gathered from leadership literature and corporate research reports and used for the creation of the survey. The survey was made online and used in the study, with the aim of identifying students’ perceptions on leadership characteristics required in the 21st century. 203 students from Germany, Serbia and the Czech Republic were part of the research, and they rated 24 statements describing eight leadership characteristics found in literature – four required for the new century and four connected to the past views of leadership. Additionally, they were asked questions aiming to understand their perceptions of the relationship between leadership, management and formal authority. Results were compared between countries, between gender groups, between study programs, based on years of work experience and year of study (first or second year master). Significant differences were noted regarding ratings between countries and between gender groups only. At the end, several explanations for the resulting patterns of ratings were proposed and suggestions were made for further research.

Abstract:

Leadership has been changing over time to adapt to the changes in external environment, social context and the new reality of the 21st century, fundamentally different than the one in the 20th century. The literature review was focused on the development of leadership theories and environmental changes which influenced shifts in views, approaches and our understanding of leadership. The main aim of an exploratory empirical study was to find out whether there is a congruence between literature views and students’ views on leadership characteristics required for the 21st century. Leadership characteristics were gathered from leadership literature and corporate research reports and used for the creation of the survey. The survey was made online and used in the study, with the aim of identifying students’ perceptions on leadership characteristics required in the 21st century. 203 students from Germany, Serbia and the Czech Republic were part of the research, and they rated 24 statements describing eight leadership characteristics found in literature – four required for the new century and four connected to the past views of leadership. Additionally, they were asked questions aiming to understand their perceptions of the relationship between leadership, management and formal authority. Results were compared between countries, between gender groups, between study programs, based on years of work experience and year of study (first or second year master). Significant differences were noted regarding ratings between countries and between gender groups only. At the end, several explanations for the resulting patterns of ratings were proposed and suggestions were made for further research.

Keywords

Leadership, leadership characteristics, student’s perceptions, 21st century

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 11. 5. 2018

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 26. 6. 2018
• Supervisor: M. B.A. Tuck Lloyd Crawford Macrae
• Reader: Ing. Petr Smutný, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Economics and Administration

Master programme / field:
Economy and Management / Business Management (Eng.)