Influence of supportive and participative path-goal leadership styles and the moderating role of task structure on employee performance

This study examined the influence of supportive and participative path-goal leadership styles, and the moderating role of task structure on employee performance of coffee trading companies in Kenya. The study was guided by the positivism philosophy and used a descriptive correlational research design. The population comprised 180 senior managers of coffee trading companies in Kenya, and a sample size of 139 was determined using stratified random sampling. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. The response rate was 84%. The descriptive statistics were means and standard deviations while the inferential analysis included factor analysis, correlational analysis, chi-square, and regression analysis. Results of multiple linear regression analysis revealed that supportive leadership style did not significantly predict employee performance, R2= 0.001, F(1, 110) = 0.118, p≤ .05, I² = -0.040, p ≤ .05 but that participative leadership style significantly predicted employee performance, R2= 0.865, F(1, 115) = 735.111, p ≤.05, I² = 0.943, p≤05. Task structure was found to moderate the relationship between path-goal leadership styles and employee performance, R2= 0.094, F(5, 101) = 6.92, p ≤.05, I² = 0.208, p≤ .05. The study recommends that leaders of coffee trading companies should apply a participative leadership style with their employees with constant communication and consultation in order to achieve optimal performance. Key Words:Path-goal Theory, Leadership style, Supportive, Participative, Task Structure