Theory Analysis

[Name of the institute]Theory Analysis

Selection of Theory

For the purpose of the analysis of theory the theory that is selected is “Contingency Theory.”

Description of the Theory

The theory that is sleeted is “Contingency Theory.” There are different theories related to leadership that are considered as the contingency theory but the most accepted and the most famous contingency theory is by Fredler 1964, 1967 and Fredler and Gracia's 1987. The meaning of contingency is events and circumstances that may occur in future and that cannot be predicted with certainty. Contingency theory involves leadership style. This theory makes an attempt to match leaders and their leadership styles with the situations. The contingency factor in this theory implies that the effectiveness of the leader and leadership style depends on the appropriateness of the leadership style according to the situation and context. This posits that there is a need to adapt and modify the leadership style according to the situation and context of the situation. In other words, it can be iterated that effectiveness of the leadership style is dependent on or is contingent on matching of the style of leadership to the right situation. In a nutshell, it can be stated that the nub of the contingency theory revolves around the style of the leadership and the situations (Fiske, Gilbert and Lindzey, 2010).

In order to develop this theory of contingency Fredler did extensive study and observed the leadership style of scores of leaders in variegated contexts and situations. After studying and observing various leadership styles and their effectiveness Fredler was able to ground generalizations about the suitability of a leadership style in a particular organizational context. Now the main question arises that how the situation can be measured and how the leadership style can be determined in accordance to the situation. To address this issue Fredler has described different situational variables. There are three factors on the basis of which a situation can be described and then the appropriate style of leadership is determined. These three factors include leader-member relations, task structure and position power (Daft, 2008).

The first factor is of leader-member relationship. When there is synchronization between the leaders and their members, when both trust each other, when both understand each other and when there is loyalty between the two then the leader-member relationship is defined as good. Otherwise, in the absence of all these elements it is defined as poor. Other factor is of task structure. When the tasks that are to be done are clearly stated then the task structure is defined as good. When the tasks are structured then leaders have more control over the members on the other hand when the tasks that are to be done are not structured leaders have less control and influence over the members. The last factor is of position power. Position power entails the extent of the authority and control the leader can reward and punish to the members (Burton, 2008).

In combination, all these three factors determine the situation of the ...