Date of Award

3-10-2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering Management

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Alexander J. Barelka, PhD

Abstract

Since the emergence of transformational and charismatic leadership models in the mid-1980s, full range leadership theory has become established as the predominant and most widely researched theory on leadership. The most commonly used survey instrument to assess full range leadership theory is the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, originally developed by Bass in 1985. Although much research has supported the strength of the psychometric properties of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, some researchers have suggested that contextual factors such as a leader’s hierarchical level can lead to conflicting results. This research effort involved an extensive review of existing literature to develop a new full range leadership theory measurement instrument that effectively targets low- to mid-level supervisors, or tactical level leaders. Results indicate that the newly developed Leadership Profile Measure scales have stronger internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α) than the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. The Leadership Profile Measure also demonstrated better model fit (evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis). Correlations between the Leadership Profile Measure and performance evaluations conducted by trained raters were low, although many were significant.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEM-ENV-10-M12

DTIC Accession Number

ADA522924

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