THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP STYLE FOR INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY IN BANGLADESH RMG

Context: In manufacturing, good leaders are said to deliver good results and productivity. Leaders follow leadership styles (LS) to lead, what makes a good leader's LS that deliver higher productivity. Purpose: The purpose of this research had been to find out what type of leadership style (LS) influences the productivity of the ready made garments (RMG) sector of Bangladesh? Methods: We followed a quantitative methodology to measure what LS most influences productivity in the context of productivity factors. The identified factors were filtered and only leadership and productivity related factors were taken into account. The real time case studies of ten factories were compared and factors were confirmed. 400 leaders (top, middle, and entry level) were surveyed, selected randomly from ten factories. Result: The result of case studies, survey and prioritised factors were triangulated using R software. We found that both Transformational (TF) and Transactional (TS) LS are related to productivity. 60% of the TS leadership and 40% of TF (LS) are a combination of a model. Each part of the productivity scale had equal weightage of 20, the productivity increase will have an increased LS both in terms of TF and TS as an input, and a decrease in the factors of less productivity, Y=b. and vice versa. We can conclude productivity X is proportional to LS factors and Factors prioritised for productivity and inversely proportional to factors inhibiting productivity, Y=b. Limitations: A time series study comparing productivity and LS may prove the validity and lead to a design of a causal study. Further research on factors is required to rule out factors and group them in moderating and mediating variables. A new formula may emerge through the needs assessment and taking into account the impact of training on productivity. A generalisation will require studies in other contexts or manufacturing areas. Implications: The study may be used to link LS and productivity and enhance productivity through leadership Originality/Value: The research measured the LS against the productivity an outlined a model to enhance productivity in the context of RMG Bangladesh