Effects of Leadership Style on the Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Kaduna State

Abstract

This study set out to analyse the effects of leadership styles on the performance of SMEs  in Kaduna State. The study is survey research in which data were gathered through  structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered on owner-managers of  SMEs operating in Kaduna State. The data were analysed using multiple regression  model. The finding showed that democratic leadership style had a significant positive  effect on the performance of SMEs in Kaduna State. The study also revealed that  autocratic and laissez-fair leadership styles had insignificant positive effect on the  performance of SMEs in Kaduna State. The study concluded that only democratic  leadership had a significant effect on the performance of SMEs in the study area. The  study, therefore, recommended that owner-managers should ensure that they give their  subordinates some latitude for independent decisions. That is, the owner-managers  should not give too many orders that discourage their subordinates from putting in their  best.