Leadership styles and their effect on employee motivation in the mining sector: The case study of Trojan Nickel Mine (2003-2021)

Abstract

This study aimed to untangle the nexus between leadership styles and employee motivation using the case of Trojan Nickel Mine. It was occasioned by the fact that while leadership styles have been employed in managing organsiations around the globe; the study sought to identify the specific ones being used at the mine and their effect on employee motivation. The main research objective was to establish the effect of leadership style on employee motivation at Trojan Nickel Mine. The specific research objectives were to identify the leadership styles that have been used to enhance employee motivation at Trojan Nickel Mine for the period 2003 to 2021; to investigate the challenges to overcoming the leadership styles at Trojan Nickel Mine and to recommend on the best leadership styles that may be used to enhance employee motivation in the organisation. The rationale behind the study was to complement and augment existing literature on leadership styles and employee motivation in organisational management. The study was informed by the behavioural and human relations theories and it was deeply rooted in pragmatic research philosophy. It hence used the mixed research approach and data was collected through interviews and documentary analysis. Data was presented and analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using SPSS. The results of the research revealed that various leadership styles were used to manage the mine and these have had different consequences on employee motivation. There has been an inclination towards the non-democratic measures which have resulted in enhanced energies and worker commitment. It was noted that leadership styles have failed to encourage creativity and initiation in most departments of the mine. The styles have also impacted negatively on employee retention. The study also established the challenges in overcoming certain leadership styles at Trojan Nickel Mine which included fear of dismissal, ignorance and resistance by top management. Based on the theoretical and empirical findings of the research on the effects on employee motivation and the mine’s overall performance, this study recommends the need to design methods that enhance employee motivation in the mine through the adoption of a holistic approach that engages all interested stakeholders (employees and departments) in the mine especially in the establishment of decisions that impact on employees.