This paper looks into a thesis proposal, ?THE RELEVANCE OF LEADERSHIP THEORIES, BEHAVIORS AND SKILLS IN A STATE-OWNED PROFITABLE ORGANIZATION IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY?. In light of this, it will aim at evaluating whether leadership theories by various theorists have been the central force in realization of profitability in an oil and gas industry, which is state-owned. This is done in order to answer various questions by the researcher, due to its constant profitability despite changes in management. Leadership theories include, but not limited to; functional, transactional, transformational and environmental theories as well as the contingency theory (Leadership Theories, 2012). Moreover, this will also evaluate the impact of leadership behaviors and skills in the attainment of an organization?s goals. It is worth noting thatthis will be evaluated basing on the organization?sprofit margins with regard to the above mentioned leadership attributes.
Leadership theories have been seen as tools to enhance competitiveness and profitability when properly put in practice and outcomes evaluated (Northouse, 2012). In this research, this will be determined through data collection from the target participants in a specified state-owned organization which has realized profitability despite changes in the management and leadership. The researcher aims at carrying out an investigation in an Oil and Gas Company to determine how leadership attributes have been affecting its performance over the years. Additionally, this will also involve determining how relationships are affected in the overall production chain.
The entire research process aims at evaluating the effect of leadership attributes in the attainment of an organization?s goals as well as profitability. Moreover, it will as well look into the most effective leadership attributes that have brought about profitability in the specified state-owned organization. On the contrary, various challenges that are met during implementation of these leadership attributes will also be determined during data analysis. In addition to this, the researcher will also determine how leadership attributes affect employee-employer relationships as well as that between junior and senior employees.
In the data collection procedures, it is vital to note that the researcher aims at utilizing qualitative methods due their advantages such as; the researcher can adjust to change of information during the session. Secondly, the methods allow collection of larger volumes of data, which are vital in the test of the hypotheses (Creswell, 2008). However, the method has also some limitations such as being tiresome as well as complexity during data analysis (Creswell et al, 2008). The researcher will favorably use face-to-face interviews during the entire research exercise where recording will be done upon request made to the respondents. Recording is critical as there are no chances of losing the data collected (McCollum, 2009). The researcher will have booked appointments through use of emails, which will be requested from the Personnel Manage. He uses interviews as he will able to ask more questions regarding the aim of the research, as opposed to use of questionnaires which might bring about redundancy especially when participants gives the same responses to particular concerns (Abbawi, 2010). However, it is worth noting that the researcher will have prepared a draft of questions which will be used as a guide during the interviews.
Ethical considerations will be put in place, where nothing will be done before a go ahead from the Company?s Human Resources Manager. He/she will also be requested to provide the active emails of the employees where confidentiality will be guaranteed during and after the research. More importantly, during the entire research, respondents will be informed that their responses will not be disclosed to any third party. They will as well be informed that they can receive the outcomes of the research after conclusion of the entire exercise.
References
Abbawi, R. (2010). Quantitative Research Methodoloies. The Journal of Academic Research , 45-61.
Creswell, J. (2008). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. New York, NY: SAGE Publications, Inc; 3rd edition.
Leadership Theories. (2012, September 24). Retrieved September 23, 2014, from Leadership Central: http://www.leadership-central.com/leadership-theories.html#axzzG3p9km1ow
McCollum, L. (2009). Research Methodologies. The Quartely Journal of Educational Research , 33-41.
Northouse, P. (2012). Leadership: Theory and Practice. New York, NY: SAGE Publications, Inc; Sixth Edition edition.
