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A total of 3786 respondents in 14 independent samples, ranging in size from 45 to 549 in US and foreign firms and agencies, completed the latest version of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ Form 5X), each describing their respective leader. Based on prior literature, nine models representing different factor structures were compared to determine the best fit for the MLQ survey. The models were tested in an original set of nine samples, and then in a second replication set comprised of five samples. Results indicated the factor structure for the MLQ survey was best represented by six lower order factors and three correlated higher-order factors.
Bass's (1985) conceptualization of transactional and transformational leadership included seven leadership factors, which he labelled charisma, inspirational, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration, contingent reward, management-by-exception and laisse_,,-faire leadership. In subsequent writings (see Bass, 1988), he noted that although charismatic and inspirational leadership were unique constructs, they were often not empirically distinguishable, thus reducing his original multifactor model to six factors.
Following Bass's (1985, 1988) proposed six-factor model of transactional and transformational leadership, there have been several comprehensive analyses, reviews, and critiques that have offered recommendations to modify the components in the model (Bass, 1985, 1990; Bass & Avolio, 1990, 1993, 1994; Bryman, 1992; Bycio, Hackett & Allen, 1995; Den Hartog, Van Muijen & Koopman, 1997; House & Podsakoff, 1994; Hunt, 1991; Waldman, Bass & Einstein, 1987; Yammarino & Bass, 1990; Yukl, 1994). Suggestions for modification arose when a number of authors were not able to replicate the six-factor model proposed and confirmed by Bass (1985). Their results led these authors to recommend collapsing some of the original leadership factors into higher order factors such as transformational leadership.
The current study tests the six-factor model proposed by Bass (1985), using a larger and more heterogeneous sample than included in prior research. The database used here included 14 separate studies with data collected from raters asked to evaluate their respective leaders using the latest version of the MLQ (Form 5X). The MLQ (Form 5X) was developed to address concerns with earlier versions of the MLQ survey (see Bass & Avolio, 1993; Hunt, 1991; Yukl, 1994), including problems with item wording, lack of discriminant validity among certain leadership factors, and the incorporation of...