Analysing the impact of leadership styles and employee engagement on job satisfaction of salespeople in the speciality chemical industry

The study was performed to determine the impact of leadership styles and employee engagement on the job satisfaction of salespeople in the speciality chemical industry in South Africa. The normal working environment of the respondents in the identified organisation was utilized to conduct the study. The study involved a cross-sectional design at a single time point. Purposive target sampling as a form of non-probability sampling was used to ensure that a definite, systematic sampling method was followed. A questionnaire - specifically for the study - was designed by the researcher in order to find comprehensive information regarding the perceptions, opinions and understanding of the research variables form the salespeople in the identified organisation. A total of 190 questionnaires were electronically distributed to the identified respondents which formed part of the "Sales Stream" of the identified organisation by means of a group email. 82 questionnaires were electronically submitted and all 82 were usable (N=190; n=82), representing a response rate of 42.3%. The research data was analysed by means of descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and correlation coefficients. The statistical results defined leadership style and employee engagement in terms of job satisfaction. Both transformational and transactional leadership is present at the identified organisation with respondents agreeing that laissez-faire leadership style is not being practised at the organisation. The results indicate that transformational leadership has a positive relation to job satisfaction. Transactional leadership also has a positive relationship with job satisfaction. The results clearly indicated that laissez-faire leadership style has a negative relationship with job satisfaction. Leadership styles do have a positive or negative relationship with job satisfaction and employee engagement will positively influence job satisfaction. As the study has shown that leadership styles and employee engagement do impact job satisfaction of employees it is important that the organisation strongly focus on these variables to ensure that their employees are satisfied with their jobs. The organisation also needs to properly equip leaders through leadership development programs to ensure leaders have the means to encourage salespeople with high levels of job satisfaction. Employee engagement is a term not clearly understood and the organisation needs to ensure that their salespeople understand what the term means. An engaged culture of employees needs to be promoted through awareness campaigns.