Learning from Followers: An Examination of Follower Voice Behavior and Its Influence on Leadership Competencies of Ugandan SME Owner-Managers
Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Ugandan Small business owner-managers lack the desired leadership competencies yet they are a hard nut to crack as far as engaging them in competence development activities is concerned.Based upon Social Constructivism theory, exit-voice and loyalty theory and leader-member exchange theory, this paper explains how leadership competencies of SME owner-mangers can be enhanced with a general assumption that such learning provides support for the growth, development and continuing success of their firms.This paper reports the findings of a cross-sectional survey and a mixed method study involving 340 employees and 54 ownermanagers in SMES in Uganda.Using hierarchical regression analysis, the findings suggest that followers through their voice exertion behaviour provides an alternative to convention learning and training by being a rich-informal source of learning for SOMs that meets their learning preferences besides overcoming their excuses for not attending face-to-face training, including time away from operations and poor Return on Investment (ROI).Findings do provide proof of concept that follower voice behaviour is indeed a learning tool for SOMs and advances research on leadership competencies and organizational literature by introducing Follower voice behaviour as a vital source of learning for SME owner-managers.
Author: Charles Okuonzi
Institution: Universal Technology and Management University
Language: English
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2546673554