Masters Thesis

Transformational leadership correlation with flow: social cohesion as moderator

This study examined the relationship between workers experiences of flow in the work place (a momentary psychological state characterized by absorption, enjoyment, and intrinsic motivation in a task), social cohesion (sense of belonging/community and morale), and their direct supervisor's leadership style. Transformational leadership is characterized by charisma, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration, and intellectual stimulation. Transactional leadership includes contingent reward (CR) and management by exception (MBE). CR focuses on compensation in exchange for clearly defined and completed work, and MBE involves leader interventions when things go wrong. Laissez-faire leadership is characterized by an absent or uninvolved leader. Data was collected via the internet from 264 full-time employees in various occupations and countries. As hypothesized, transformational leadership behaviors were positively correlated with flow even while controlling for transactional and laissez-faire leadership practices. In line with the final hypothesis, social cohesion moderated the relationship such that transformational leadership has a stronger positive correlation with flow when social cohesion is high rather than low.

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