THE INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP STYLE, ON EMPLOYEES PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN HEALTH CENTRE BENIN CITY
ABSTRACT
Leadership style differs from one organization to the other. Leadership styles determines to a great extent the success or otherwise of an organization since all other variables in an organization depend on its leadership. Some leadership styles are effective at different periods of time. Appropriate leadership style promotes organizational effectiveness and efficiency as well as productivity.
This study examines the influence of leadership style on employees performance. To carryout the study, a survey was conducted in which structured questionnaire was administered on respondents in the University of Benin Healthcare. The results of t he analysis of data collected show that leadership style has positive and negative influence on employees performance. Recommendations were made on how to promote the performance of employees in organizations, based on  the findings of the study.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study                    
Statement of Research Problem            
1.2    Objectives of the Study                     
1.3    Research Question    
1.4    Hypotheses                        
1.5    Significance of the Study                    
1.6    Scope of the Study                    
1.7    Limitations of the Study            
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1    Historical Background of the University of Benin
Health Centre                     
2.2    The Concept of Leadership            
2.3    Types of Leaders                
2.4    Characteristics of a Good Leader            
2.5    Functions and Roles of Leaders            
2.6    Theories of Leadership                    
2.7    Leadership Styles                 
2.8    Determinants of Leadership Style            
2.9    Employee Performance                
2.10     Factors Influencing Employees Performance     
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1    Research Design                        
3.2    Sources of Data for the Study            
3.3    Population of Study                        
3.4    Sample Size and Sampling Technique        
3.5    Research Instrument                    
3.6    Field Work                        
3.7    Data Analysis Plan                    
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1    Data Presentation and Analysis            
4.2    Test of Hypotheses                
4.3    Discussion of Findings                
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
5.1    Summary                        
5.2    Recommendations                    
5.3    Conclusion                            
Bibliography                    
Appendix                            
CHAPTER ONE
 INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
    Leadership is an important factor in all organizations because it determines the directions, effectiveness and performance of organizations. Also leadership provides the motivation to other members of the organization, especially the employees in order for them to work towards the realization of the goals and objectives of the organization. As a matter of fact, the success or failure of any organization is determined by its leadership. It is the leadership that distinguished successful organizations from the others.
    The leadership of an organization exerts great influence on other members in particular and the entire organizations in general. Every other element of an organization depends on the leadership for the performance of is activities and achievement of its goals and objectives.
    The leadership of an organization includes those people that define the purpose of the organization, give direction to other organizational members, set goals and objectives for others to achieve, provide the required resources for achieving the goals and objectives, define and allocate duties to others and control the behavior of other people in order to achieve the set goals and objective of the organization. According to Hersay and Blanchart, (1996) anytime an individual is attempting to influence the behavior of someone else, the individual is a potential leader. This clearly shows that leadership is about influencing other people’s behaviour in order to achieve the goals and objectives of a group Knoontz and O’ Donnl (1985) refer to leadership as influencing people to follow in the attainment of common goal. According to Fiedler (1958) leadership is the process through which people are influenced to strive towards the achievement of organizational goals and objective willingly with zeal and confidence. This implies that   leadership takes place in a group and within a specific situation which could be a business company, hospital, professional association, political party or government.
    In an attempt to ensure effective leadership in work organizations different leadership styles and theories have been propounded and adopted by different authorities and leaders. These leadership styles have different effects on the employees or followers and are perceived differently, by the employees in organizations.
    Employees performance, on the other hand is a critical variable in a work organization. The leadership of an organization desire high performance from the employees. Employees performance indicates how well employees are fulfilling he requirements of their jobs in terms of results achieved. It is the level of productivity achieved by workers in an organization or the degree of accomplishment of the tasks the make-up an individual’s job.
    Employees performance can be influenced by many factors ranging from personal or individual variables to situational or environmental variables.
    This study examines the influences of leadership styles on employees performance in Nigeria using University if Benin Health centre as a case study.    
1.1    STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
    In an effort to promote employee performance and general styles have been organizations, difference leadership styles have been adopted in different organization. However, there is a problem of ascertaining the influence of leadership styles on employees performance organization. This study therefore is focused on determining the effects of leadership style on employee performance in organizations.
 1.2    OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
    The main purpose of this study is to determine the influence of leadership style on employees performance in Nigerian organizations using University of Benin Health centre as a case study.
    However, the specific objective of the study include;
To determine the types of leadership styles adopted in organizations,
To ascertain the preferred leadership style by employees,
To know the level of employees performance in the organization.
To determine the factors influencing employees performance.
To ascertain the relationship between leadership style and employees performance.
To find out how employees performance can be improved.
1.3    RESEARCH QUESTIONS
    The research questions for this study include the following.
What are the types of leadership styles in Nigerian organizations?
Which type of leadership style is preferred by the  employees?
What is the level of employees performance in the organization?
What are the factors influencing employees performance?
What is the relationship between leadership style and employees performance in organization?
In what ways can employees performance be improved?
1.4    STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESES
Ho:    There is no significant relationship between leadership styles and employee performance organizations.
Ho:    There is a significant relationship between leadership styles and employee performance organizations.
1.5    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
    A research project of this nature is significant in many ways. However, the significance of this study is as follows:
This project provides more information about leadership and employee performance in work organizations.
The study can serve as a basis for further study on leadership and employee performance and other related subjects.
The study can also be used for making recommendations on the appropriate leadership style to adopt at different situations for effective and efficient results in terms of employee performance and productivity.
1.6    SCOPE OF THE STUDY
    This study covers the types of leadership styles and their influence on employee performance. The study is focused on University of Benin Health centre, using both the management and other employees as respondents. However the findings are used to generalize for Nigerian organizations.
1.7    LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
    There are certain constraints which pose to challenge to the researcher in the course of carrying out this research, especially in the aspect of data collection and data analysis. However, the limitation of this study are as follows.
Difficulty in data collection due to the unwillingness of respondents to provide appropriate response to questions posed to them.
The time available for the study is short.