An Evaluation of the Leadership Styles of Managers and Their Impact on Human Capital Factors of Motivation , Performance and Absenteeism of Employees at Selected Hospitals in Eastern Free State , South Africa

Abstract

Purpose – This study aimed to provide an examination of the extent to which different leadership styles impact employee motivation, performance and absenteeism at four selected hospitals in Eastern Free State, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach – Quantitative; descriptive survey design was used with a structured questionnaire as data collection instrument. The useable survey comprised 180 individual responses from 250 distributed, giving a response rate of 72 percent. Findings – The findings show that autocratic, participative, and democratic and laissez- faire leadership styles are prevalent in the hospitals under study. Further, it was found that employees’ motivation, performance was decreased while absenteeism was increased as a result of the autocratic and laissez – faire leadership styles prevalent in the hospitals. Recommendations - Recommendations were made for improvement of leadership styles in order to increase motivation and performance whilst reducing absenteeism. Further research, specifically relating to impact of leadership styles in hospitals and the impact of human capital factors were recommended