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INTRODUCTION
53,900 in 2011; 54,200 in 2012; 60,700 in 2013 and more than 67,800 to
the end of December 2014. This figure tends to growing up becauses of the
The necessity of the research
capacity and the quality of entrepreneurs, business leaders.
Leaders are people having power, influence, charismatic and
Therefore, the study of of personality, leader’s trait and the influence
inspirational abilities… to form the mighty empire, gather huge armies,
of these factors on leadership performance is a significant issue of theory
construct and transmit their affects from one generation to the next in
and practice in conditions Vietnam.
centuries-lasting organizations or companies. In general, discussion in
Objectives of the study and research questions
leadership have been involved not only scholars but also practicers. In
This study will help to clarify the influence of leader’s traits on
particular, leader and leader’s trait approach are important ones.
In Vietnam, the study of personality, leader’s trait and the influence of
these factors on leadership performance, particularly in enterprises is very
leadership performance in enterprises in Vietnam. Specifically, the thesis
will respond to the following three research questions:
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limited. Business leaders have been considered in terms of capacity and
education level through qualification. In this context, multidimensional,
performance in the conditions of Vietnam?
•
comprehensive, modern approached studies to leadership must be
continued to complement the theories and basis for practical activities.
Due to the historical context, businessman and business leaders in
Vietnam formed lately, were not highly appreciated and created conditions
How do documented leader’s traits have influence on leadership
What leader’s traits are popular and their influence on leadership
performance in enterprises in Vietnam?
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What characteristics of enterprise (Industry, ownership, size ...) and
characteristics of leaders (age, sex ...) moderate the influence of
leader’s traits on leadership performance in Vietnam?
for development in a very long period. Along with economical innovation
Research’s object, scope and method
and management thinking, businessman class has been growing and taking
Method research: combination of qualitative method (in-depth
increasing important roles to the country's global integration. However,
interviews) and quantitative method (survey questionnaires).
overall assessment, after nearly 30 years of innovation, businessman class
The object of the study is the leader’s traits and their influence on
is fundamentally weak in terms of knowledge, ability and managerial
leadership performance in enterprises in Vietnam. The research unit is the
experience (Tran Thi Van Hoa, 2011). Specifically, results from the survey
employee and middle-lever leader in different enterprises. They were asked
in more than 63.760 enterprises in 30 northern provinces show that only
to evaluate their leader’s traits and their leadership performance.
54.5% of enterprise owners have college and higher degrees (30% have
Scope of the study: The different state-owner, private and foreign
been trained in economics and business administration, 70% have not);
enterprises which are different in term of industry, size, form... from seven
45.5% of enterprise owners have secondary school qualifications and
economic regions (North East, the Red River Delta, Northwest, North
untrained (MPI and JICA, 2005). According to publication from the
Central, West Central, Southeast, and West Southern). 1,000 questionaires
General Department of Statistics, in the last 5 years the number of business
were sent, 806 ones is valid among 830 ones responded. Survey was carried
bankruptcies continued to increase from 43,000 in 2010 to more than
out in 5 months from April to August 2014.
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Structure of the thesis
CHAPTER 1
LITERATURE REVIEW
Apart from the introduction and conclusion, the thesis includes 5 chapters:
Chapter 1
Literature review
Chapter 2
Theoritical framework and research model
Chapter 3
Qualitative research: Leader’s traits in enterprise in Vietnam
Research on leader’s traits
and adjusted research model
According to the different research perspectives, one or a certain
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
1.1. Literature review on international researches
Quantitative research: Impact of leader’s traits on leadership
group traits would have a positive impact to the leadership performance,
performance in Vietnam
help leaders succeed while others have the completely opposite effect.
Discussions and recommendations
Research on leaders' qualities, Sankar (2003) said that "vision,
goals, self-concept, strategies, work ethic, perception, code of ethics,
behavior and the search for excellence" help leaders succeed in their work.
Similarly, some studies have shown the link between effective work with a
number of personal traits such as courage, integrity, passion, compassion,
optimism, kindness , humanity, purpose, sympathy (Bright, Cameron and
Caza, 2006).
Rooted in psychology, desides The Big Five Traits Theory
suggested by Judge, Bono, Illies and Gerhardt (2002), Peterson and
Seligman (2004) presented 6 virtues with 24 traits that help individuals,
leaders success, satisfy with work: Winsdom, Courage, Humanity,
Transcedence, Temperance and Justice. Based on this category, Noel
Balliett Thun (2009) developed the scale and measured their impact to
leadership performance. This category is more consistent with business and
management.
Some studies focus on the qualities with negative impact (dark
traits). Among this, study on Dark Triad including Narccisism,
Machiavellianism and Psychopathy is dominant. Schaubroeck, Walumbwa,
Ganster and Kepes (2007), examined the relationship between these three
qualities to the staff’s physical and mental stress, their work attitude and the
commitment to organizations. Jonason, Slomski and Partyka (2012)
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considers these three qualities as a measure to assess the negative staff and
Organizational citizenship behavior-individual (Josatisfaction, Trust,
a sign to identify the strategies that they will use in the workplace.
Conciousness), Affective organizational commitment and General health.
One other interesting aspect that the researchers have also shown
In operation area, Cavazotte, Moreno, Hickmann (2012) and
that these dark traits are also positive and vice versa. In it, Furnham,
Strohhecker, Grobler (2013) and studies in materials and energy
Trickey and Hyde (2012) has pointed out the negative characteristics have
management. Following Transformational Leadership approach, the
tight ties to both the success and failure in specific work. Judge, Piccolo
authors
and Kosalka (2009) argues that traits have two sides and affect leadership
knowledge.
performance and effectiveness.
promote
intelligence,
personality,
emotional
intelligence,
360 degrees model is mentioned as another interesting study on
Research on leadership performance
measuring the influence of leader’s qualities on leadership performance
Leadership performance is examined in different aspects and for
(Strang and Kuhnert, 2009), through his senior, junior and colleague.
different purposes. Based on the research findings of Thunn (2009); Piero,
1.2. Literature review on researches in Vietnam
Cicero, Bonaiuto, Knippenberg and Kruglanski (2005); Reave (2005);
In Vietnam, the researches not only on the leader’s traits but also
Knippenberg and Hogg (2003); Koene, Vogelaar and Soeters (2002);
on effect of leader’s traits on leadership performance is very limited,
Mumford, Zaccaro, Johnson, Diana, Gilbert and Threlfall (2000)... the
according to some following approaches:
author differentiate criteria measuring leadership performance into 2
groups: staff-leading performance and general-leading performance.
The first is Marxist - Leninism perspective and Ho Chi Minh
though. Accordingly, the leaders - managers must constantly cultivate, train
In particular, staff-leading performance includes: Perceived
yourself to minimize defects, enhance strengths concentrated in humanity,
leadership effectiveness; Job satisfaction and Motivation to work;
righteousness, knowledge, courage and integrity (Tran Nguyen Tuyen,
Commitment to the organization; Professional ethics.
2015 ); righteousness and ability (Tran Sy said, 2004); virtuousness and
General-leading performance includes: Organizational performance
(net profit and controllable cost); Organization efficiency; Readiness to
innovate and General communication.
Research on effect of leader’s traits on leadership performance:
there are some notable research.
talent (Do Minh Cuong, 2006; Tuong lai, 2006 ...) and reputable to be
worth at the helm (Lanh Thi Bich Hoa, 2006) ...
The second is psychology perspective of leader’s personality
(Nguyen Ba Duong, 2004; Le Huu Green, 2006; Vu Anh Tuan, 2009),
dignitary’s personality (Luong Xuan Ha, 2007)... With this perspective,
Mumford, Zaccaro, Johnson, Diana, Gilbert and Threlfall (2000)
personality is the unity of virtue and talent, of which virtue is the original
studied the effect of 7 leader's traits to the quality of the decisions, critical
and talent is important; unity of a politician, the organizer, the professor
analysis, personal leadership performance; Reave (2005) have examined
and an educator" (Vu Anh Tuan, 2009)...
the relationship between spiritual values and specific behaviors to
The third is modern and qualitative approach. The authors point out
leadership effectiveness. Balliett Thun Noel (2009) studied the effect of 6
these following virtue: desire, thinking, stature (Vu Minh Khuong, 2009);
group virtues to leadership performance through three groups of criteria:
trend, persionality, stuff and capacity (Tran Thi Bich Tra, 2006); 23
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psychological qualities necessary for leaders (Tran Thi Bich Tra, 2006); the
CHAPTER 2
personal qualities and leadership gender stereotyping (Nguyen Thi Thu Ha,
2008) ...
THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK AND RESEARCH MODEL
1.3. Research gap
Based on the assessment of the context and the need for research
2.1. Trait theory
on leadership and leader’s traits in enterprises in Vietnam, the author
Talented leaders always expressed his personal imprint on the
proposes some research directions are as follows: Firstly, the leaders need
organization they lead. The imprint is reflected not only the personality,
to be considered at different levels and leading role instead of attaching to
personal traits, but also leader’s talent, ability and contributions for its
official position that they hold in the enterprise. Secondly, specific
development. In the broad sense, leader’s traits are understood as the
characteristics of the enterprises (intdustry, size, form…) and the leaders
personal qualities of leader to distinguish with a different leader. The
(age, gender, education, experience...) should be considered as moderator
personal traits can be positive or negative effect. In business and
factors on leadership performance. Thirdly, leadership theory in the context
management, the leader’s traits are proved the effect on leadership
of Eastern culture is a puzzle piece to completed leadership theory.
performance and effectiveness.
Fourthly, documented theories need to be verified in the context of a
There are many approaches and classification of personal traits.
growing economy with a variety of economic sectors, forms of ownership,
Within the scope of the thesis, the author uses approach and classification
forms of business organization... Finally, leader’s performance need to be
of Peterson and Seligman (2004) and Judge, Piccolo and Kosalka (2009) as
considered in terms of economic development and social responsibility to
the basis to analyse and measure the effect of leader’s traits (both bright
ensure business efficiency also contributing to the socio-economic
and dark traits) leadership performance in enterprises.
development.
Regarding the affecting factors: Personality and personal traits are
However, within the scope of the thesis, the author intends to take
formed and adjusted through the interaction between the individual with the
Trait approach as the fundamental theory with the essential adjustments and
natural and social environment. Triandis (1989) has pointed out that
applications as follow: selecting suitable trait classification, adding some
differences in cultural context can also influence the personality and
independent variables, adding some scale for dependent variables and
behavior of each individual. As McCrae, leader is influenced by many
examining the new moderator variables. This objective is based on previous
factors including biological factors, natural environment and other external
studies on culture and the influence of cultural context on leadership and
factors (McCrae and Costa, 1999; McCrae, 2004). Accordingly, the author
leadership performance.
has made a qualitative study to show the leader’s trait in enterprises in
Vietnam's cultural context.
2.2. Leader’s traits classification
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Peterson and Seligman’s classification (2004): Using 10 defining
In the thesis, the author developed 14 questions to measure these
criteria (See Appendix 2), the authors have identified the bright traits
four traits. The questions are based on the definition of the Judge, Piccolo
(positive effect) 6 virtues with 24 traits as follows.
and Kosalka (2009) with reference to the studies by Rosenthal and Pittinski
I
1
2
3
4
5
II
6
7
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9
III
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Table 2.2: Theoretical categorization of 6 virtues and 24 straits
Wisdom
IV Transcendence
Creativity
13 Beauty
Curiosity
14 Gratitude
Open-mindedness
15 Hope
Love of learning
16 Humor
Perspective
17 Spirituality
Courage
V
Temperance
Bravery
18 Forgiveness/Mercy
Persistence
19 Humility/Modesty
Integrity
20 Prudence
Vitality
21 Self-regulation
Humanity
VI Justice
Love
22 Citizenship
Kindness
23 Fairness
Social Intelligence
24 Leadership
(Source: Peterson và Seligman, 2004)
According to Peterson and Seligman (2004), 6 virtues with 24 were
assessed positively in almost all cultures, been proven over time. They have
not only positive impact on leadership performance but also make people
feel happy and optimistic. The content and expression of 6 virtues with 24
traits are presented in Table 2.3 to Table 2.8. In the thesis, the author uses
24 questions developed by Thun (2009) to measure these 24 traits.
Judge, Piccolo and Kosalka’s classification (2009): Based on the
(2006); Morf and Rhodewait (2001); Baumeister, Campbell, Kruger and
Vohs (2003); Sidanius and Pratto (2001); Altemeyer (2004); Goldberg
(1990).
2.3. Leadership performance
"Leadership performance is understood as the leader’s impact on
junior (including job satisfaction, commitment to the organization, general
health) and on general environment in the department or organization
(organization efficiency and readiness to innovate)".
Based on statistics, group and selection from previous research
results; the author used the following five groups of indicators to measure
leadership performance: (1) Job satisfaction, (2) Commitment to
organization, (3) General health, (4) Organization efficiency, (5) Readiness
to innovate. Due to its compatibility with certain classifications of
Cavazotte, Moreno and Hickmann (2012), in the final model, two
dependent variable are expected and named staff-leading performance
(including criteria 1, 2 and 3) and General-leading performance (including
criteria 4 and 5). To measure these two groups, in thesis author selected 15
sub-criteria developed by Noel Balliett Thun (2009); Koene, Vogelaar and
Soeters (2002); Piero, Cicero, Bonaiuto, Knippenberg and Kruglanski
(2005); Reave (2005); Knippenberg and Hogg (2003).
2.4. Research model
inheritance the previous research, these authors has considered the
multidimensional aspects of traits, proposed and measured the effectiveness
of some new ones. In particular, Judge, Piccolo and Kosalka (2009) pointed
out four dark traits including: Narcissism, Hubris, Social Dominance and
Machiavellianism.
The author used the model composed by Cavazotte, Moreno,
Hickmann (2012) as the fundamental research model. However some
adjustments were carried out to obtain research objectives and suit for the
study context. In particular, the author:
•
Used trait approach and classification of Peterson and Seligman
(2004); Judge, Piccolo and Kosalka (2009).
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Added new and specific indicators to evaluate the leadership
study focused on the research of business leader and leader’s traits in
performance, however, still based on initial model of Cavazotte,
different forms of business organization, cultures and countries.
Qualitative methods: In-depth interviews were carried out to
Moreno, Hickmann;
•
Supplemented some leader’s traits affected by the external
affirm the suitability of fundamental theory, characteristics of Vietnam
environment in the context of Vietnam to and assessed the
culture affecting individual’s traits and dominant traits of Vietnamese in
moderation of some new factors on the effect of leader’s traits on
general and leader in enterprises in particular. Content of the in-depth
leadership performance;
interviews is presented in Table 2.9. Information of experts interviewed,
Based on the above acknowledgement, the author proposed the
time, location and duration of the interview is presented in Appendix 3.
Quantitative Research Methods - Survey questionnaire: used to
research model to study the effects of leader’s traits on leadership
performance as in Figure 2.2 below.
measure the effect of leader’s traits on leadership performance. Details of
the scale selection and development are presented in Table 2.10, 2.11 and
Wisdom
Courage
Humanity
Transcendence
2.12.
Staff-leading performance
- Job satisfaction
- Commitment to organization
- General health
Temperance
was developed and adjusted over the preliminary quantitative survey with a
sample size of 55 in Hanoi. Besides the introduction, final questionnaire
consists of 3 main sections with 84 questions presented in detail in
Justice
Narcissism
General-leading performance
Hubris
- Organization efficiency
- Readiness to innovate
Social Dominace
Appendix 4.
Sampling survey: About 1000 staffs and mid-level managers in
different enterprises were asked to get their assessment of their senior’s
traits and leadership performance. Due to resource limitation, the author
Machiavellianism
Leader’s traits in
conext of VN
Questionnaire development and adjustment: The questionnaire
used convenience sampling method but to ensure representativeness, the
Moderating variables
Age, Gender, Ownership
author tried to investigate in seven main economic regions from seven
(Source: Author)
North Central, West Central, Southeast, and West Southern), in different
Figure 2.2: Research model (In plan)
2.5. Research method
Secondary information for literature review: In 6 months (from
Dec 2013 to May 2014), using website ScienceDirect.com, the author
studied on the first 1,000 closest results to the term "Leadership and Trait
theory" and then continuously update newer and relevant researches. The
economic regions (including North East, the Red River Delta, Northwest,
enterprises in term of industry, business forms, ownership.
Survey time: Survey was carried out in 5 months from April to
August 2014. About 1,000 questionaires were sent, 806 ones is valid
among 830 ones responded.
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CHAPTER 3
organizing monarchy government, intuitive thinking also lead to emotional
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: LEADER’S TRAITS IN
thinking. After the 19th century, the influence of Western culture became
ENTERPRISE IN VIETNAM AND ADJUSTED RESEACH MODEL
clearer and stronger, but narrow and quite faint in Vietnam cultural
progress.
The impact of political factors: political psychology with an
3.1. Vietnamese’s dominant traits affected by external factors
Based on finding of Triandis (1989) and McCrae (2004), the author
studied the effect of environment on the Vietnamese’s characteristics.
absolute ideology of the king and the monarchy government guided to
passive thinking or passivity. On the other hand, community and village
The impact of natural environment: The natural condition in
culture also appeared privatization trend of political relations (Lai Phi Hung
Vietnam is diverse in topography, climate and land; different between
et al, 2013). Leaders often dominated by family and other relationship
regions. Vietnam social is diverse in the unity of an agricultural
when making decisions. This expression is also very close to emotional
civilization, relying on nature and in harmony with nature. Adapted with
thinking.
those natural conditions, Vietnamese also have some characteristics as
follows:
high adaptability, community, small-scale production, lack of
planning, seasonality, passivity...
Based on the documented traits, the author categorized and
affirmed through in-depth interview. The experts’ opinions highly
concentrated on "emotional thinking", considered it as an important
The impact of economic - social – religious environment and
characteristic of the Vietnamese and needed to be implemented into the
exotic elements: Vietnam has agricultural culture. People desire to live in
model. Second trait is the "Initiative - The ability to turn things around".
peace, natural harmony, emotion appreciation, tolerance, have philosophy
Contrasting to passivity, many people think Vietnamese has very actively
of balance and harmony... It is this philosophy leading to high adaptability
impacted on natural conditions to serve life and production activities (dikes
under all circumstances (Tran Ngoc Them, 1999). Throughout history, the
system, water resource...) and has flexible responds to changes and
long-term commitment between the individual and the community make
challenges. Finally, "Harmonious thinking" also needs to be added in the
people appreciate emotion or “emotional thinking”. Oriental monarchy
research model because it is considered differently in the way that people
existing for thousands of years in the history Vietnam makes people live in
think between the West and the East in general and in Vietnam in
habits, trails. Great majority of the cultural values are created once and
particular.
forever, without modification, creativity and innovation.
3.2. Dominant traits needed to be implemented into research model
The impact of religious and exotic elements: At the “crossroads of
"Emotional thinking": In leadership, emotional thinking is
civilizations” (Tran Quoc Vuong et al, 2006). Introduced into Vietnam with
known as "Being dominated by relationships, emotion; decision without
human spiritual values and encourage goodness, Buddhism also contribute
significant reasons"(Dictionary Vietnamese, Publisher Encyclopedia,
to the Vietnamese’s emotion appreciation. Vietnamese culture is also
2010).
ascending affected Chinese culture, especially the Confucian with
"Initiative - The ability to turn things around": According to
humanity. Passively receiving and passive thinking in studying and
referenced dictionary, initiative is "be master of his actions, not easily to be
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the governed by situation or others”. Turning things around has both
CHAPTER 4
meaning as making the changes and countering threats to opportunities. So
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH: IMPACT OF LEADER’S TRAITS
"The ability to turn things around is adaptability, impact, change the
ON LEADERSHIP PERFORMANCE IN VIETNAM
unfavorable factors into business advantage."
"Harmonious thinking": Harmony means adaptation of part to
4.1. Reliability of the scales
each other, in any system or combination of things or in things intended to
The scales are tested the reliability by Cronbach’s Alpha and
form a connected whole. On one side, leaders (in general) and leaders in
Corrected Item – Total Correlation. Next, the retained variables are
enterprises (in particular) with "Harmonious thinking" do not solve the
continuously analyzed using factor analysis method (EFA).
issues deeply and thoroughly. On the other side, when choosing the plan or
Reliability Statistics
solving problems, the most importance is seeking for compromise,
Cronbach’s Alpha in the range 0.7 - 0.8 is good but accepted at least
conformity and stability in the organization / enterprises rather than judging
0.6. Besides, the variables with the Corrected Item – Total Correlation lower
which is right or wrong.
than 0.4 will also be excluded (Nunnally, 1978; Peterson, 1994; Slater, 1995
The author also developed and affirmed 12 scales to measure 3
cited in Hoang Trong - Chu Nguyen Mong Ngoc, 2005).
traits include "Emotional thinking", "Initiative - The ability to turn things
Scales for leader’s traits: all the variables have Cronbach’s Alpha
around" and "Harmonious thinking" as discussed above. Expression and
from 0.686 to 0.927. The author retain 47 observed variables having
scale for "Emotional thinking" are shown in Table 3.2; "Initiative - The
Corrected Item – Total Correlation higher than 0.4 and excluded 3 other
ability to turn things around" in Table 3.3 and "Harmonious thinking" in
variables. Detailed statistics is in Table 4:11 and Appendix 6.
Table 3.4.
3.3. Adjusted research model and research hypotheses
Based on the results of qualitative research, the author adjusted the
research model as in Figure 3.1 and developed 4 groups of hypotheses:
•
Scale for leadership performance: all the variables have Cronbach’s
Alpha from 0.736 to 0.874. All of 15 observed variables are included because
of having Corrected Item – Total Correlation higher than 0.4. Statistics in
details is provided in Table 4.12 and Appendix 7.
Hypotheses about the effect of leader’s traits on staff-leading
Check validity of scales
performance.
Next, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is used to assess the validity
Hypotheses about the effect of leader’s traits on organization-leading
of the scales. In this test, variables with the extraction less than 0.5 continue
performance.
disqualified. The author chose Principle Components Analysis for Extraction
•
Hypotheses about the difference in staff-leading performance.
Method, Varimax with Kaiser Normalization and Initial Eigen values is over
•
Hypotheses about the difference in organization-leading performance.
1. Scales are accepted when Rotation Sum of Squared Loading is greater than
•
50% and the extractions are 0.5 or more (Hair & CTG, 1998).
Scales for leader’s traits: After removing 9 scales, 3rd EFA result
analysis was accepted in all criteria, presented in Table 4:13 (see Appendix 8
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and 9 for details). First, KMO and Bartlett's test (KMO at 0.934 in accepted
range 0.5
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