Leadership Styles and Entrepreneurial Orientation of Selected Fast-Food Enterprises in Owerri, Imo State

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between leadership styles and entrepreneurial orientation of selected fast-food enterprises in Owerri, Imo State. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. The accessible population was 235 employees of ten (10) selected fast-food enterprises in Owerri. The sample size of 148 was determined using Taro Yamane formula. Purposive sampling technique was utilized. The primary data was generated through structured questionnaire based on the 5-point Likert scale. 136 copies of questionnaires were retrieved and used for analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The reliability of the instrument was attained using the Cronbach Alpha coefficient with all the items scored above the threshold of 0.70. The hypotheses were tested using the Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0. The tests were carried out at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a significant and positive relationship between the dimensions of leadership styles and entrepreneurial orientation of fast-food enterprises in Owerri, Imo State. The study recommends among others that business owners and managers of fast-food businesses should mostly adopt transformational and servant leadership styles which fosters creative and innovative climate which aids employees to contribute their ideas, take calculated risks, enhances their motivation and engagement. Moreover, government agencies should design leadership focused capacity-building initiatives while policy makers introduce innovation-supportive policies that will help fast-food enterprises remain competitive and resilient in a rapidly changing business environment