A Mixed Methods Study of Leader-Follower Dynamics in Student Project Teams: Toward Advancing Career Readiness

Alegbeleye, Ibukun

A Mixed Methods Study of Leader-Follower Dynamics in Student Project Teams: Toward Advancing Career Readiness

dc.contributor.author	Alegbeleye, Ibukun	en
dc.contributor.committeechair	Kaufman, Eric K.	en
dc.contributor.committeemember	Anderson, James C.	en
dc.contributor.committeemember	Archibald, Thomas G.	en
dc.contributor.committeemember	Friedel, Curtis R.	en
dc.contributor.department	Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education	en
dc.date.accessioned	2020-04-23T08:00:58Z	en
dc.date.available	2020-04-23T08:00:58Z	en
dc.date.issued	2020-04-22	en
dc.description.abstract	The challenges we face in society are becoming increasingly complex. Addressing complex problems (such as climate change, food security, and water conservation, among others) requires working with others in an interdependent and collaborative environment. However, employers have noted that college graduates are insufficiently prepared to work effectively in teams. The central problem this study seeks to solve pertains to the inability of college graduates to engage effectively in teamwork. I have identified transformational leadership and effective followership behaviors as predictors of teamwork quality and team effectiveness in the study. This study applies an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to examine: (a) whether transformational team leadership is positively related to team effectiveness, as mediated by teamwork quality, (b) whether effective team followership is positively related to team effectiveness, as mediated by teamwork quality; (c) team members' perceptions of overall teamwork quality, (d) team members' perceptions of how transformational team leadership influences overall teamwork quality and team effectiveness, (e) team members' perceptions of how effective team followership influences overall teamwork quality and team effectiveness, and (f) the differences and similarities that exist between teams in the perceptions of teamwork quality, transformational team leadership and effective team followership. Quantitative data were collected through surveys that were completed by 98 students (n=98) subdivided into 20 project teams (j=20) in the Virginia Governor School for Agriculture, as well as 84 students (n=84) subdivided into 10 project teams (j=10) in a leadership class at the University of Georgia. Follow-up focus groups were conducted with five teams (j = 5, n = 27). Statistical analyses included: descriptive statistics, correlational tests, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), Cronbach's alpha tests, and a mediation analysis based on ordinary least square regression-based path analysis. Coding and thematic analysis of focus group transcripts were carried out in the qualitative phase. Findings indicate that transformational team leadership was positively related to team effectiveness ( = 0.54, p < .05), such that the relationship was mediated by teamwork quality. However, teamwork quality did not mediate the relationship between effective team followership and team effectiveness. Findings show a distinction in the perception of teamwork quality between teams. Those with low-quality teamwork started out with limited social cohesion, exhibited social loafing, and were polarized along in-group versus out-group lines. In contrast, groups with high-quality teamwork started out with team bonding, resolved minor conflicts quickly, and established team synergy. Similarly, findings show a distinction in the perception of team leadership between teams, where those with low-quality teamwork exhibited centralized leadership, while teams with high-quality teamwork exhibited shared leadership. Lastly, findings show a distinction in the perception of team followership between teams, where those with low-quality teamwork exhibited passive team followership, and those with high-quality teamwork exhibited proactive team followership. The study has important implications for college students, leadership educators, organizations, and researchers.	en
dc.description.abstractgeneral	In today's world, employers are interested in the ability of college graduates to work effectively in a team. This is because the problems organizations face today are increasingly complex and require teamwork. Unfortunately, employers have rated many college graduates as inadequately prepared to work effectively in teams. Seeing this problem, I wanted to know what factors influence college graduates' ability to engage effectively in teamwork. While leadership researchers have identified team members' leadership and followership behaviors as factors that influence their ability to work effectively in a team, there is a need to know what that relationship looks like. Therefore, in this study, I have explored how transformational leadership and effective followership behaviors of team members influence teamwork quality and team effectiveness. I surveyed 20 student project teams comprised of 98 students in the Virginia Governor School for Agriculture, as well as 10 student project teams comprised of 84 students in a leadership class at the University of Georgia. As a follow-up, I conducted small-group discussions with five teams to understand what was going on in their teams regarding teamwork quality, leadership, and followership. I found that transformational team leadership influenced team effectiveness by improving the quality of teamwork in a team. However, effective team followership did not improve the quality of teamwork in a team. I also found a distinction in the perception of teamwork quality between teams. Those with low-quality teamwork started out with limited social cohesion, exhibited social loafing, and were polarized along in-group versus out-group lines. On the other hand, teams with high-quality teamwork started out with team bonding, resolved minor conflicts quickly, and established team synergy. Similarly, I found a distinction in the perception of team leadership between teams, where those with low-quality teamwork exhibiting centralized leadership, and those with high-quality teamwork exhibited shared leadership. Lastly, I found a distinction in the perception of team followership between teams, where those with low-quality teamwork exhibited passive team followership, and teams with high-quality teamwork exhibited proactive team followership. The study has important implications for college students, leadership educators, organizations, and researchers.	en
dc.description.degree	Doctor of Philosophy	en
dc.format.medium	ETD	en
dc.identifier.other	vt_gsexam:24893	en
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10919/97891	en
dc.publisher	Virginia Tech	en
dc.rights	In Copyright	en
dc.rights.uri	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/	en
dc.subject	Transformational Leadership	en
dc.subject	Effective Followership	en
dc.subject	Shared Leadership	en
dc.subject	Teamwork Quality	en
dc.subject	Team Effectiveness.	en
dc.title	A Mixed Methods Study of Leader-Follower Dynamics in Student Project Teams: Toward Advancing Career Readiness	en
dc.type	Dissertation	en
thesis.degree.discipline	Agricultural and Extension Education	en
thesis.degree.grantor	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	en
thesis.degree.level	doctoral	en
thesis.degree.name	Doctor of Philosophy	en