Transformational Leadership and its Attributes: Factors That Could Increase Security at the Miami International Airport

Author

Norbert Oliver Pinto, Lynn University

Date of Award

12-14-2015

Document Type

Dissertation

Granting Institution

Lynn University

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PHD)

Degree Program

Global Leadership - with a specialization in Corporate and Organizational Management

Department

College of Business and Management

First Advisor

Ralph Norcio

Second Advisor

Farideh Farazmand

Third Advisor

Matteo Peroni

Abstract

This study was to examine the factors that are critical transformational leadership values and attributes, which could improve organizational performance. More specifically, the purpose was to find possible recommendations to provide more effective leadership qualities to efficiently enhance security strategies, within the airline industry. This paper examined three major attributes of transformational leadership; communication, cooperation, and education. An examination of theoretical and empirical literature concerning transformational leadership attributes and the relationship with organizational effectiveness was conducted. Findings indicate that these attributes of transformational leaders are essential for motivating followers to surpass self-interest and work towards a collective purpose, vision, and mission.

Global communities are becoming more competitive and leadership skills are needed to best develop a successful working environment and should become more diverse. Companies are required to employ personnel with qualifications or to train employees with specific tools, in order to meet security requirements. Such requirement would enhance additional tools.

A non-experimental exploratory and qualitative study was designed to answer the research questions. The study method was phenomenological, interviewing a group of employees who have experienced the phenomenon. The sample consisted of thirty (30) employees at the Miami International Airport. They provided the source of the required data collection and analysis. Participants were employees of the airport between the ages of 21 and 65. The participants in the study were interviewed and they were willing and able to participate in the study. They provided information relating to their experiences and opinions, relative to the possibility of the lack of communication, cooperation and education while performing their job duties.

A non-experimental exploratory qualitative research design based on the proposal of the study was developed to evaluate the impact of transformational leadership and its attributes, specifically regarding communication, cooperation and education. The method of data collection that was utilized was based on employees' experience and performance. First, a survey instrument was used to collect data regarding information about the demographics of the participants; age, sex, income, cultural background, experience, time on the job and job classification. The second step was conducted face to face as an interview process based on a questionnaire. The researcher took written notes during the interviews. The researcher did not audio record the interviews.

A survey instrument was utilized to interview participants based on empowerment as condition of their employment. The data was analyzed to determine the relevance of the three major questions of the study. The results expressed that the questions were extremely important to the security commitment of employees at the Miami International Airport. Although each participant's answer was of a different opinion, demographics played a significant role.

Recommendations for further study are suggested to continue the attempts to improve security on a global basis. The issues of communication, cooperation and education are of major importance, which require continuous and immediate attention. The findings indicated that the security requirements could be enhanced with the utilization of transformational leadership and its attributes.

Recommended Citation

Pinto, N. O. (2015). Transformational Leadership and its Attributes: Factors That Could Increase Security at the Miami International Airport [Doctoral dissertation, Lynn University]. SPIRAL. https://spiral.lynn.edu/etds/159