Gender‐based analysis of leadership differences in Turkey

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate differences of leadership styles of Turkish men and women managers in team‐oriented and participative leadership dimensions. In addition, the purpose of this resarch is to find out the differences of leadership styles and also the effect of pre‐managerial and managerial experiences on leadership style in a gender‐based context.

Design/methodology/approach

A web‐based questionnaire was used for the study. Four main hypotheses were tested by ANOVA and structural equation modeling. Research was conducted via a total of 276 managers, composed of 124 women and 152 men, employed by medium‐sized private sector companies in Turkey. The Globe Leadership scale was used in the questionnaire to measure the managers' leadership styles.

Findings

It was found that men and women managers have no differences in team‐oriented and participative leadership styles. Besides, significantly, the pre‐managerial and managerial experiences of the women managers have a bigger effect on leadership styles than those of men managers.

Research limitations/implications

The sampling frame consists of only participants from medium‐sized companies; therefore the results show the opinions of women and men managers from these organizations.

Practical implications

Since it is better able to transfer the pre‐managerial and managerial experiences of women managers on collaborative leadership styles than those of men managers, it requires priority to be given to women managers in these conditions. Consequently, managerial positions that relate to participative and team‐oriented styles may be designed with respect to women managers' strength regarding accelerating the process.

Originality/value

The study adds significantly to the published body of knowledge. Its findings reflect the valuable contribution that managerial experience makes as a vital indicator for gender‐based analysis of leadership styles in Turkey.

Citation

Çınar Altıntaş, F. (2010), "Gender‐based analysis of leadership differences in Turkey", EuroMed Journal of Business, Vol. 5 No. 1, pp. 20-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/14502191011043134