Path-Goal Theory - Leadership Styles and their Changes during Covid-19 Pandemic

The most significant leadership theory, within the frame of contingency and situational approaches, is the path-goal theory. This theory is an extension of Vroom's expectancy theory and defines four styles of leadership: directive, supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented. The theory was first defined in the '70s, and since then, numerous studies have been conducted on leaders and subordinates in different industries and countries. Research during the COVID-19 pandemic is underrepresented, especially in Croatia, and the authors identified a research gap. Primary quantitative research was conducted, and data were collected through the questionnaire developed by Northouse (A Path-Goal Theory Investigation of Superior Subordinate Relationships). The research sample encompassed 77 leaders of organizations in the private and public sectors in the Republic of Croatia, and the researchers analysed self-assessment results about leadership styles before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analysed to obtain insight into the frequency of leadership styles, differences in leadership styles before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of gender, level of education, and organization size on leadership style. The results indicate that self-assessment defines minor changes to leadership style preference before and during the pandemic. The results indicate a difference in leadership styles according to gender; women more frequently choose the supportive style of leadership. Furthermore, it emerges that the level of education and the organization size have an impact on other leadership styles in the frame of the path-goal theory.