The Relationship of Leadership Styles and organizational performance among IPTA Academic Leaders in Klang Valley Area, Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the leadership styles and the organizational performance among the Malaysian Public Universities (IPTA) academic leaders in Klang Valley Area. In the recent years, the roles of academic leaders have been identified as crucial to the success of any higher education academic institutions. This study is a quantitative research and investigated the differences exist between the leadership styles of academic leaders and organizational performance. It is important to apply appropriate leadership styles that can enhance organizational performance. A total number of 300 set of questionnaires were distributed and only 156 set of questionnaires were collected. In order to obtain better result in future, it is recommended to have larger sample, to extend the population beyond academic leaders by using qualitative approach as additional method of study. The findings indicated that all leadership styles discussed on Transformational leadership, Transactional leadership and Laissez Faire leadership had a positive and significant relationship with organizational performance. However, there was no significant difference of gender between male and female academic leaders towards the leadership styles practices perceived by the academic leaders. Based on the findings, implication for future research is offered. JEL classification numbers: D23