Leadership practices in Malaysian technology-based firms: a mixed method approach

• Main Authors: Arshad, A. S., Rasli, A., Mustafar, M.
• Format: Article
• Published: American Scientific Publishers 2017
• Subjects: HD28 Management. Industrial Management
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/75203/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85032904588&doi=10.1166%2fasl.2017.9844&partnerID=40&md5=87022f5460424884cdd4d1cbf69c9f39
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Three leadership styles have been identified in a recent study on leadership styles in technology-based firms, i.e., transformational, transactional and ambidextrous leadership. The aim of this study is to identify the leadership styles practiced in Malaysian technology-based firms. To reach this objective, a mixed method approach was adopted. Data was gathered from owners or top management of Malaysian technology-based firms using survey questionnaire and in-depth interview. The results of the quantitative study showed that the aforementioned leadership styles were practiced by Malaysian technology-based firms. The qualitative study revealed that there are five leadership styles practiced by Malaysian technology-based firms. The implication of the study expands the knowledge in the areas of leadership since little work has been done on leadership styles in technology-based firms. The originality of this paper lies on being the first to examine the leadership styles of Malaysian technology-based firms using a mixed method approach.