THE IMPACT OF MANAGERS’ LEARNING STYLES AND LEADERSHIP STYLES AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR ORGANISATIONS: A CASE STUDY FROM SMALL RETAIL TYRE COMPANIES IN THAILAND By VISSANU ZUMITZAVAN A thesis submitted to The University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Industrial Labour Economics Birmingham Business School The University of Birmingham June 2010 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. Abstract Today’s business requires managers who can make an impact by competing successfully in the context of globalisation. Organisational learning contributes to a firm’s ability to compete. However, particularly in small and medium enterprises, research into managers’ approaches to transferring and encouraging learning in the organisation remains inadequate. This study examines the relationship between managers’ learning and leadership styles and sustaining learning in the organisation, and consequently increasing organisational effectiveness. Small retail tyre firms in north east Thailand are taken as a case study. Mixed research methods were applied. Pilot studies were tested to ensure reliability and validity. In a quantitative approach, questionnaires were used to collect data, and different statistical methods were used to analyse the data. Questionnaires were distributed to the managers of small tyre firms covering demographics, learning styles, leadership styles and organisational effectiveness. A qualitative approach of semi-structured interviews was used to gather further, more detailed, data. The results suggest that the Reflector and Pragmatist learning styles and the Transformational and Transactional leadership styles are the most effective. Results from the interviews suggest more specific ways of encouraging learning in the organisation, in terms of organisational management, leadership roles and learning and experience. Dedication I would like to dedicate this thesis to my parents, Mr. Sompoch Zumitzavan and Mrs. Daungyiva Zumitzavan. They put aside their own desires to see me fulfil my dreams to succeed in life. They have always trusted in me and supported me in everything. I would not have started and completed my PhD without them. They mean the world to me and I am eternally thankful to them. Love you Pa+ and Mom Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Jonathan Michie. Throughout my studies he has dedicated so much effort, understanding and patience in guiding me towards becoming a researcher. At every stage, overcoming many obstacles, he has always been there to support me. I am very grateful for having such a devoted supervisor. My deepest appreciation also goes to my co-supervisor, Dr Ian Clark, who has constantly given so much support and encouragement, helping me to develop my research skills and complete my thesis. I am honoured to be one of his students. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr Jason Heyes, Professor Chris Mabey, and Dr. Maura Sheehan, the chair and examiners, who provided attentive reviews and helpful recommendations during my Viva. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Associate Professor Titinun Auamnoy, for sharing his invaluable insights regarding the statistical techniques and for his kind advice and support. Within the Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Professors Stan Siebert, Mary O’Mahony, Chris Mabey and Dr. Jo Duberley for their supportive recommendations. I am deeply grateful to the Royal Thai Government and Mahasarakham University for sponsoring me and allowing me to pursue my PhD at Industrial Labour Economics, Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. I would also like to extend my profound gratitude to my uncle, Assistant Professor Tanes Srisatit, who encouraged me to study abroad from my high- school years and supported me at every stage of my studies. Without his encouragement and support, I might not have decided to study abroad and pursue my higher education. I am greatly indebted to him for all manner of support. I express sincere thanks to the former and current deans of the Faculty of Accountancy and Management, Mahasarakham University, Thailand, Mr Mongkhon Moungkieo and Associate Professor Phapruke Ussahawanitchakit, for their support in completing my studies. Special thanks also go to my professional proof reader, and to friends who have contributed much help during the editing stages of this thesis: Gillian Martin, Julia Junaidi and Karwai Tan. I would also like to express my ingenuous gratefulness to Miss Pattra Supawiwat for her endless support throughout my studies. Additionally, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to others who have been involved in the production of this thesis. In particular, I would like to thank participants, sales managers and the staff of tyre manufacturers and retailers in Thailand, who provided useful information. Secondly, thanks to members of staff at the Universities of Birmingham, Oxford and Mahasarakham, namely Vivien Jones, Marleen Vanstockem, Donna Willmetts, Barbara Fitzpatrick, Cynthia Pickering, Sandra Gee, Miss Kanokvan Chaonoi, Mr Niwat Pattaniboon and other members of staff whose names have not been mentioned here; they have always been supportive and provided useful information during my studies. I also wish to acknowledge the endless contributions made by my family. I am eternally grateful for their unending support at every stage of my life: my parents; my brother and sisters: Mr Sompoch, Mrs Daungyiva, Mr Piya Zumitzavan, Karuna Arromdee and Assistant Professor Somjintana Tungkawachara, plus my beloved nieces, nephew and relatives: Jiratana Tungkawachara, Mameena Arromdee, Jade Tungkawachara, Mrs Sunee Tuntimekin, Mr Kampang Laungmongkollert, Mrs Kimheng Kaenchotikul, Mr Pornsak Laungmongkollert, Mr Panumet Laungmongkollert, Mr Passakorn Laungmongkollert, Mr Korn Laungmongkollert, Mr Pornchai Laungmongkollert and Mr Anuwat Tuntikul and their families. Without their warm encouragement I would not have been able to make it. Last but not least, my sincerest appreciation goes to my friends and colleagues both in Thailand and the United Kingdom. Without them, my studies would have been less ‘colourful’ and meaningful; in particular to my first-year Birmingham family, Miss Karwai Tan, Miss Nidjada Teachajareonvikul and Mr Ravivat Lohpattananon, as well as my friends and flatmates at Jarratt Hall and fellow Thai colleagues who have always provided positive encouragement and kindly shared knowledge from their respective disciplines: Miss Pimpika Duangpastra, N’ Bright, Julia Junaidi, Po-Wei, Peter, Hiroki, Pa’Au, P’Pasan, P’Toom, N’James, Jitti, N’Koy, Miss Tipparat Vareevej, Dr Suvaroj Kemavuthanon Dr Siwat Pongpiachan Dr Tunyawat Somjaitaweeporn, Mrs Teerapan Suppa- Aim, Mr Trairong Swatdikun, Rania Mousa, and others that I have not mentioned here. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................... 1 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 1 2. RATIONALE OF RESEARCH .................................................................... 1 3. BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH ............................................................... 9 4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS ....................................................................... 22 5. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES ...................................................................... 23 6. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................... 23 7. METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH ........................................................... 27 8. STRUCTURE OF THESIS ....................................................................... 29 9. CONCLUSION ....................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER 2 OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE ............................ 30 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................... 30 2. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE ON ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING .......... 30 3. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE ON ORGANISATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS .. 65 5. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE ON LEARNING STYLE ............................. 85 6. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE ON LEADERSHIP STYLES ...................... 108 8. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................... 140 CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .......................... 143 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 143 2. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES .................................................................... 143 3. METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES ............................................................... 144 4. RESEARCH METHODS AND DESIGNS ................................................ 148 5. QUANTITATIVE APPROACH ............................................................... 154 6. QUALITATIVE APPROACH ................................................................. 167 7. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................... 177 CHAPTER 4 DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS ............................... 179 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 179 2. LEARNING STYLES ............................................................................ 179 3. LEADERSHIP STYLES ......................................................................... 181 4. ORGANISATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS .................................................. 183 5. DEMOGRAPHICS OF RESPONDENTS ................................................... 185 6. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................... 189 CHAPTER 5 QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS .................. 190 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 190 2. HYPOTHESIS ...................................................................................... 190 3. INDEPENDENT SAMPLE T-TEST AND ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE (ANOVA) ............................................................................................. 191 4. MULTIPLE REGRESSION ANALYSIS ................................................... 192 5. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................... 229 CHAPTER 6 QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS ..................... 230 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 230 2. THE SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEW ................................................ 230 3. PILOT STUDY .................................................................................... 231 4. SAMPLING ......................................................................................... 232 5. DATA COLLECTION ........................................................................... 233 6. INDUCTIVE-BASED ANALYTICAL STRATEGIES AND PROCEDURES .... 234 7. FINDINGS .......................................................................................... 237 8. DISCUSSION ...................................................................................... 273 9. THE INDEPENDENT SAMPLES T-TEST ................................................. 275 10. CONCLUSION ................................................................................... 288 CHAPTER 7 DISCUSSION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS ........ 290 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 290 2. DISCUSSION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS OF THE QUANTITATIVE APPROACH ............................................................................................ 290 3. DISCUSSION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS OF QUALITATIVE APPROACH 310 4. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................... 324 CHAPTER 8 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .. 327 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 327 2. ORIGINALITY AND CONTRIBUTION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS ........... 327 3. IMPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH FINDINGS ........................................... 332 4. LIMITATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH ... 335 5. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................... 339 BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................... 341 APPENDICES ................................................................................ 388 APPENDIX A: PILOT STUDY RELIABILITY ANALYSIS SCALE (CRONBACH’S COEFFICIENT ALPHA) .................................................... 388 APPENDIX B: ACTUAL FIELD WORK RELIABILITY ANALYSIS SCALE (CRONBACH’S COEFFICIENT ALPHA) .................................................... 392 APPENDIX C: PILOT STUDY QUESTIONNAIRE ........................................ 396 APPENDIX D: ACTUAL FIELD WORK QUESTIONNAIRE .......................... 400 APPENDIX E: PILOT STUDY SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEWING QUESTIONS ........................................................................................... 403 APPENDIX F: FOLLOW-UP SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEWING QUESTIONS .............................................................................................................. 404 APPENDIX G: COEFFICIENT VALUE ...................................................... 406 APPENDIX H: A STATNDARD HECKMAN TEST FOR RESPONSE BIAS ..... 409 APPENDIX I: ADDITIONAL STATISTICAL FINDINGS .............................. 410 CORRELATION COEFFICIENT ................................................................ 452