The assessment of transformational leadership and its impact on small retail outlets in the Republic of Ireland [printed text] / Shane Briggs, Author ; IBAT College Dublin, ; Philip McGovern, Thesis advisor . - 2013 . - 92 p. : ill. (col), includes bibliographical references pp. 68-88, and abstract ; 31 cm.
ISSN : DISS6
Dissertation (MBA) -- IBAT College Dublin, 2013.

Keywords:	Transformational,  Leadership,  Retail
Class number:	658
Abstract:	This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the impact of transformational leadership on small retail outlets based in the Republic of Ireland. The small retail sector is one of many sectors currently struggling to survive in a tough economic environment. This study sets out to establish the impact, positive or negative, that the appointment of a transformational leader would have on a small retail outlet. A quantitative study was conducted featuring survey questionnaires completed by 107 retail employees rating their personal job satisfaction and organisational commitment levels, along with the level of transformational leadership behaviour demonstrated by their manager. This allowed the researcher to produce conclusions on the causal relationships between transformatonal leadership and a number of variables. Four in-depth interviews were also conducted with four seperate retail managers to assess their awareness of transformational leadership. The study concluded that transformational leadership is a strong predictor of job satisfaction and organiational commitment in a small retail environment. The study found that male managers in a small retail environment tend to demonstrate higher levels of transformational leadership compared to their female counterparts. The study also found that within small retail outlets age is not a predictor of transformational leadership; however, it is a predictor of job satisfaction. The qualitative research, in the form of in-depth interviews, confirmed that transformational research leadership is an unknown trait amongst retail managers and their understanding of the characteristics are limited. This research study recommends that small retailers in the Republic of Ireland hire transformational leaders to manage their outlets. This appointment will produe tangible benefits such a decrease in absenteeism, an improvement in performance, increases in sales revenues and increased productivity within the outlet.