The Applicability of Bass's Model of Transformational, Transactional, and Laissez-Faire Leadership in the Hospital Administrative Environment

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate empirically in the hospital administrative environment the relationship of leadership behaviors to subordinate manager's perceived outcomes, through examination of B. M. Bass's (1985) model of transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership. The author measured leadership orientation and outcome factors through subordinate managers' ratings of hospital CEOs using a questionnaire, which asked: Is there a relationship between the leadership styles of hospital CEOs and subordinate managers' self-reported willingness to exert extra effort, perception of leader effectiveness and satisfaction with their leader? Findings revealed that the relationship between transformational leadership and the outcome factors were stronger and more positive than were the transactional and laissez-faire styles. These findings are consistent with the hierarchal patterns reported and support the universality of the model.