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Discussion Thread: Path-Goal and Leader-Member Exchange Leadership Theories
Path-Goal Leadership Theory: Supportive Leadership
According to Fabac et al. (2022) and Northouse (2022), leadership is exerting influence
over a group of individuals to accomplish a shared objective. The path-goal theory is a prominent
leadership technique within contingency theories. The authors define supportive leadership as a
concept within path-goal leadership theory that can help manage the anxiety of their followers
during organizational change. Fabac et al. (2022) cited La Rocco and Jones's (1978) research on
supportive leadership in the U.S. Navy and found evidence that it enhances job satisfaction.
Fabac et al. (2022) utilized a questionnaire formed by Northouse (2010) titled, A Path-Goal
Theory Investigation of Superior Subordinate Relationships, to collect data for a study. The
study involved 77 leaders from various private and governmental organizations in Croatia. The
researchers examined self-assessment data on leadership styles before and after the COVID-19
pandemic.
Leader-Member Exchange Theory (LMX): Leadership Development
Northouse (2022) discovered the primary aim of LMX theory research is to explore how
the dynamics between leaders and followers might be leveraged to enhance leadership
development. Leadership development emphasizes the need for leaders to cultivate high-quality
interactions with all their followers rather than just a select few. It strives to create a sense of
belonging among all its followers, preventing the unfairness and unpleasant consequences of
being excluded from the group (p. 162). According to previous studies concerning information
systems development (Johnson et al., 2021; Maruping et al., 2009; Maruping et al., 2019; Storey
et al., 2019; Venkatesh et al., 2018; Venkatesh et al., 2023), organizations that handle their
interpersonal interactions with team leaders efficiently are consistently seen as the primary factor
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determining developer happiness. Venkatesh et al. (2023) found statistically significant evidence
to support their hypothesis of LMX differentiation being positively related to developer job
satisfaction and developer team satisfaction (p. 8).
Biblical Application of Path-Goal and Leader-Member Exchange Leadership Theories
The biblical story of Elijah’s spiritual depression, as explained by Merida (2015) and
found in The New American Bible (1992), provides an emotional setting to apply Path-Goal and
LMX theories. Elijah experienced an emotional struggle and depression and is a perfect example
of the hardship that leaders take on in challenging times (Merida, 2015, pp. 136-148).
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References
Fabac, R., Kokot, K., & Bubalo, I. (2022). Path-goal theory – leadership styles and their changes
during Covid-19 pandemic.!Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems,!20(4),
349-374.Hhttps://doi.org/10.7906/indecs.20.4.4
Johnson, B., Zimmermann, T., & Bird, C. (2021). The effect of work environments on
productivity and satisfaction of software engineers. IEEE Transactions on Software
Engineering, 47(4), 736-757. https://doi.org/10.1109/TSE.2019.2903053
La Rocco, J. M., & Jones, A. P. (1978). Co-worker and leader support as moderators of stress-
strain relationships in work situations.HJournal of Applied Psychology.,H63(5), 629–634.
https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.63.5.629
Maruping, L. M., Venkatesh, V., & Agarwal, R. (2009). A control theory perspective on agile
methodology use and changing user requirements. Information Systems Research, 20(3),
377-399. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.1090.0238
Maruping, L. M., Venkatesh, V., Thong, J. Y. L. & Zhang, X. (2019). A risk mitigation
framework for information technology projects: A cultural contingency perspective.
Journal of Management Information Systems, 36(1), 120-157. https://doi.
org/10.1080/07421222.2018.1550555
Merida, T. (2015). Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings (Platt & D. L. Akin, Eds.). B & H Publishing
Group.
Northouse, P. G. (2010). Leadership: theory and practiceH(Fourth edition. In Croatian.). MATE
doo marketing technology.
Northouse, P. G. (2022).HLeadership: theory and practiceH(Ninth edition.). SAGE Publications,
Inc.
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The New American Bible.!(Rev. Ed.).!(1992). The New American Bible. Catholic Book Pub.
Storey, M. A., Zimmermann, T., Bird, C., Czerwonka, J., Murphy, B., & Kalliamvakou,
E. (2019). Towards a theory of software developer job satisfaction and perceived
productivity. IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, 47(10), 2125-2142.
https://doi.org/10.1109/TSE.2019.2944354
Venkatesh, V., Rai, A., & Maruping, L. M. (2018). Information systems projects and individual
developer outcomes: Role of project managers and process control. Information Systems
Research, 29(1), 127-148. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2017.0723
Venkatesh, V., Thong, J. Y. L., Spohrer, K., Chan, F. K. Y., Arora, A., Hoehle, H., &
Venkatraman, S. (2023). Equality does not make you happy: Effects of differentiated
leader-member exchange and team-member exchange on developer satisfaction in agile
development teams.!MIS Quarterly,!47(3), 1239-
1270.Hhttps://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2022/15358
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