Examination of The Relationship Between Individual Leadership Style, Teamwork and Learning Preferences -- A Case From A University In China

Abstract

This study explores the effects of Chinese transformational leaders' preference in teamwork, and creative learning activities and leadership style. Three types of leadership styles, transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire, were measured using Bass and Avolio's (2004) Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. Student participants were questioned on their preferences of teamwork based on their leadership styles and type of teaching styles that they preferred. Data analyses indicated that while behaviors associated with transformational leadership motivated followers, the results did not significantly relate to a leader's propensity to support teamwork. In addition, creative learning activities were not preferred by participants who experienced laissez-faire leader behavior. The conclusion suggests that the Chinese university has yet to develop transformational leadership education and creative learning might not be the immediate answer for education improvement in China.