Exploratory Research Of The Intrinsic Structure Of Transformational Leadership In Chinese Culture

Transformational leadership has rapidly become one of the most popular topics of western leadership research since the 1980s,and also the new paradigm of leadership research. In China, more and more researchers has referred to this field. However, few empirical researches related to transformational leadership in China, and most of them validated the western structure of transformational leadership and its effectiveness. There are many differences in western culture and Chinese culture, so is the western structure of transformational leadership applicable to China? What are the similarities and differences between the western structure and Chinese structure? Though Chaoping Li has found the 4-factor structure of transformational leadership in China, there are still some shorts in his research. Our research will explore the structure of transformational leadership in China further on the basis of Li's research.Interview analysis revealed 11 categories of transformational leaders' behaviors, based on which Transformational Leadership Questionnaire was developed. Data analysis of a sample of 280 subjects by CEFA showed that transformational leadership was a 9-factor structure in China, which included Moral and Courtesy, Goal-orientation Effectiveness, Visionary Communication, Contingent Reward, Individualized Development, Life Caring, Innovation Encouragement, Widely Listening and Interpersonal Harmony. Another 169 modified questionnaire was surveyed and the results of CFA supported the 9-factor structure of transformational leadership in Chinese culture.