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An evaluation of the leadership effectiveness among production supervisors at selected pharmaceutical organisations in Port Elizabeth

Effective leadership is one of the most important factors that influence the performance of an organisation. Effective leadership together with supervision are similar in terms of their influence of others towards achieving the goals of the organisation. Therefore, effective leadership and supervision are principal activities through which organisational goals and objectives are achieved. The main objectives of this study are firstly to evaluate the leadership effectiveness of production supervisors at Lennon and Intramed. Secondly, to suggest recommendations to management to improve or eliminate shortcomings in the leadership effectiveness of the production supervisors at Lennon and Intramed. In this way, a contribution to the overall leadership effectiveness of the production supervisors at Lennon and Intramed is achieved. In order to achieve the said objectives, the following methodology was employed: Firstly, guidelines for effective leadership were identified by means of evaluating existing literature and theory. This was achieved by critically examining existing leadership theories and models. The major contributions, disadvantages, and advantages of each of these theories and models were evaluated which resulted in the list of guidelines for effective leadership. Secondly, the pharmaceutical industry and the theory surrounding supervision were critically examined and discussed. Attention was given to the pharmaceutical industry in South Africa, with special reference to Lennon and Intramed. The theory of supervision was examined with special focus on the skills, functions, power, and responsibilities of the supervisor. Thirdly, a postal questionnaire was used to gather the required empirical information. The response obtained from the questionnaire was critically evaluated against the guidelines for effective leadership and effective supervision, and the results were graphically represented in a company leadership profile. Lennon and Intramed were evaluated separately, and the major differences and similarities between the two organisations were critically evaluated. Lastly, the main findings and recommendations were formulated in order to remedy the shortcomings that were identified. The following recommendations may lead to more effective leadership among production supervisors at Lennon and Intramed: It is necessary that this study be made available to the supervisors at Lennon and Intramed, as it will give them insight into the theory of leadership and what effective leadership is about. It will furthermore give the supervisors an insight into the way that their subordinates view their leadership behaviour and effectiveness. It is further recommended that the information from this study be made available through sensitisation sessions where the necessary information is presented to a group or individual supervisors. Leadership training and development is required as it can make a meaningful contribution to equip supervisors with the necessary leadership skills to practise effective leadership. This leadership training and development can be done by means of short courses presented by a formal training institution, or by a suitably qualified in-house presenter. The last recommendation to leadership effectiveness involves the implementation of a performance management system and incentive scheme to further motivate and drive the supervisor’s leadership behaviour towards effective leadership.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nmmu/vital:10889
Date January 2001
CreatorsSwanepoel, Deon Andre
PublisherPort Elizabeth Technikon, Faculty of Management
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis, Masters, MTech
Formatxiv, 210 leaves, pdf
RightsNelson Mandela Metropolitan University

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