LEADERSHIP AND EMPOWERMENT: EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND EMPLOYEE EMPOWERMENT IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Purpose: The research aim was to investigate the relationship between transformational leadership and employee empowerment within the context of project management in Polish public administration. It examines whether transformational leadership is the predominant style in this environment and whether it enhances employee empowerment during project implementation. Design/methodology/approach: The survey selected 18 offices in Poland's voivodeship capitals and included all 269 departments and faculties. Directors nominated employees for a questionnaire focusing on projects needing diverse skills. Seventy employees (and projects) were selected, with 50 responding to the subsequent survey via computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI). The study utilized validated leadership and empowerment scales with a 2 to 2 rating system. Data analysis included exploratory factor analysis using principal component analysis, descriptive statistics, and correlation analysis to examine relationships between variables. Findings: The results reveal that transformational leadership is not the predominant public administration project management style. Moreover, managers do not actively empower their employees during project implementation. Contrary to expectations, no significant correlation was found between transformational leadership and employee empowerment (r = 0.185, p > 0.01). Research limitations/implications: Limitations include potential self-selection bias among participants and unaccounted external variables such as political pressures or funding constraints that might influence leadership-empowerment dynamics. Future research should include comparative studies using similar methodology in the private sector in Poland and other countries' public sectors. Practical implications: The research results indicate the need to strengthen empowerment efforts to foster better teamwork. They also indicate investing in leadership development programs that promote leadership qualities such as inspiring and motivating employees, supporting empowerment, and aligning goals with the organisation's mission. Social implications: Encouraging leadership qualities like empowerment and transparency contributes to a more accountable and socially responsible public sector. Enhancing leadership practices in public administration can lead to more responsive and efficient public services, ultimately benefiting citizens through improved project outcomes. Originality/value: The study provides novel insights into the specific context of Polish public administration, challenging conventional assumptions about transformational leadership's universal effectiveness in enhancing employee empowerment. It offers valuable guidance for leadership development in public institutions.