Configurations of managerial capabilities at different hierarchical levels

Abstract

This study examines managerial capability needs of managers at different hierarchical levels. Borrowing from behavioral and situational leadership theories, we distinguish between three dimensions of capabilities – task-oriented, relations-oriented, and change-oriented capabilities – and three management levels – low, middle, and top management. Within a large scale research, we gathered capability and management effectiveness data of 2307 managers and performed group-regressions for each management level, separately. Since we used standardized regression coefficients, comparisons were possible not only within a single regression setting, but also across the different group-regressions. We found that all dimensions of managerial capabilities positively affect managerial effectiveness of lower and middle managers. However, the impact of each dimension is stronger at the middle management level. Top management capability requirements differ as change-oriented capabilities become 2-3 times more influential. ...