A study of the relationship between transformational and transactional leadership, and conflict management styles in Ohio college presidents

This study examined the relationship between Bass's (1985) transformational leadership model and Blake and Mouton's (1964) dual concern model. The participants involved in this study were the presidents of the 141 colleges and universities in the state of Ohio. Information was collected from the presidents regarding their conflict management style using the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. Information regarding the leadership styles of the presidents was obtained from four to six subordinates using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. The results were inconclusive. Although a correlation did exist, it was not determined to be significant statistically. However, interesting and unexpected results emerged from the data not specifically related to the four hypotheses, but related to the different types of institutions or the difference in the gender of the leader.