Journal Press India^®

Author Details ( * ) denotes Corresponding author

This study investigates the impact of leaders’ inspirational motivation on public sector reforms in Malawi. Using a sample of 310 directors and deputy directors, it evaluates how principal secretaries’ leadership influences policy implementation within the Malawian public service. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using correlation and regression techniques. Results reveal a significant positive relationship between leaders’ inspirational motivation and the effectiveness of public sector reforms. The findings align with previous research, emphasizing the critical role of inspirational leadership in reform management. This study provides actionable insights for policymakers and administrative leaders to leverage inspirational motivation for successful reforms.

Keywords

Inspirational Motivation; Transformational Leadership; Public Sector Reforms; Leadership

1. Abelha, D. M., Carneiro, P. C. D. C. & Cavazotte, F. (2018). Transformational leadership and job satisfaction. Assessing the influence of organizational contextual factors and individual characteristics. Revista Brasileira De Gestao De Negocious, 20(4), 516-532.
2. Aboramadan, M. & Dahleez, K. A. (2020). Leadership styles and employees’ work outcomes in nonprofit organizations: The role of work engagement. Journal of Management Development, 39(7), 869-893.
3. Ahmed, F., Abbas, T., Latif, S. & Rasheed A. (2014). Impact of transformational leadership and employee motivation on employee motivation in telecommunication sector. Journal of Management, Policies and Practices, 2(2), 11-25.
4. Alavi, M. & Carlson, P. (1992). A review of MIS research and disciplinary development. Journal of Information Management Systems, 8(4), 45-62.
5. Avolio, B. J., Reichard, R. J., Hannah, S. T., Walumbwa, F. O. & Chan, A. (2009). A met analytic review of leadership impact research: Experimental and quasi-experimental studies. The Leadership Quarterly, 20(5), 764–784.
6. Azim, M.T., Fan, L., Uddin M., Jilani, A. & Begun, S. (2019). Linking transformational leadership with employees’ engagement in the creative process. Management Research Review, 42(7), 857-858.
7. Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership: Good, better, best. Organizational Dynamics, 13(3),   26-40.
8. Bass, B. M. & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational leadership (2^nd edition). Mahwah, N.J.: L. Erlbaum Associates.
9. Bass, B. M. & Seltzer, J. (1990). Transformational leadership: Beyond initiation and consideration. Journal of Management, 16(4), 693-703.
10. Bass, B. M. & Avolio, B. J. (1994). Transformational leadership and organizational culture. The International Journal of Public Administration, 3(4), 541-554.
11. Bawole, J. N. & Langnel, Z. (2023). Administrative reforms in Ghananian public services for government business continuity during the COVID-19 crisis. Public Organization Review, 23(1), 181-196.
12. Blackhaus, L. & Vogel, R. (2022). Leadership in the public sector: A meta-analysis of styles, outcomes, contexts and methods. Public Administration Review, 82(6), 986-1003.
13. Bosak, J., Kilroy, S., Chenevert, D. & Flood, P.C. (2021). Examining the role of transformational leadership and mission valence on burnout among hospital staff. Journal of Organisational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 8(2), 208-227.
14. Brown, E. A. & Arendt, S. W. (2011). Perceptions of transformational leadership behaviours and subordinates’ performance in hotels. Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism, 101, 45-59.
15. Chiweza, A. L. (2010). Public sector reforms and decentralization: Lessons from Malawi 1994-2006. Reforming the Malawi Public Sector, 11, 29-42.
16. Collis, J. & Hussey, R. (2014). Writing up a research. London: Palgrave.
17. Cooper, D. & Schindler, P. (2014). Business research methods. Macgraw Hill.
18. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods approach (4^th edition). UK: Sage Publication.
19. Denhardt, J., Terry, L., Delacruz, E. R. & Andonoska, L. (2009). Barriers to citizen engagement in developing countries. International Journal of Public Administration, 32(14), 1268–1288. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/01900690903344726
20. Eliyana, A., Maarif, S. & Muzakki, S. (2019). Job satisfaction and organizational commitment effect in the transformational leadership towards employee performance. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 25(3), 144-150.
21. Galliers, R. D. (1991). Strategic information systems planning: Myths, reality and guidelines for successful implementation. European Journal of Information Systems, 1, 55-64.
22. Gennaro, D. (2018). Transformational leadership for public service Motivation. Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, 35(1), 1-11.
23. Ghavifekr, S. & Adewale, A. S. (2019). Can change leadership impact on staff organizational citizenship behaviour? A scenario from Malaysia. Higher Education, Evaluation and Development, 13(2), 65-81.
24. Gomes, A. R. (2014). Transformational leadership: Theory, research, and application to sports. In C. Mohiyeddini (Ed.). Contemporary topics and trends in the psychology of sports (53-114). New York: Nova Science Publishers
25. Groselj, M., Cerne, M., Penger, S. & Grah, B. (2021). Authentic and transformational leadership and innovative work behaviour: The moderating role of psychological empowerment. European Journal of Innovation Management, 24(3), 677-706.
26. Habib, N., Naveed, S. & Mumtaz, M. (2023). What type of leadership is more effective for managing change during force majeure? Achieving organisational effectiveness during the pandemic. RAUSP Management Journal, 58(4), 318-340.
27. Hague, A. S. & Jongruck, P. (2021). Civil service reforms in Hong Kong and Thailand: Similar goals, different paths. Journal on Public Administration and Policy, 232, 111-123.
28. Hatch, M. J.  & Cunliffe, A. L. (2006). Organization theory (2^nd edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
29. Hayati, D., Charkhabi, M. & Naami, A. (2014). The relationship between transformational leadership and work engagement in governmental hospitals nurses: A survey study. Springerplus, 3(1), 1-7.
30. Jain, K. & Jain, V. (2023). Influence of work-life balance on employee engagement in higher education institutions: Mediating role of quality of life. MANTHAN: Journal of commerce and Management, 10(2), 125-144.
31. Janovac, T., Orlandic, M. & Vukcevic, M. (2023). Evaluation of the key factors of effective leadership in the process of implementing public sector reforms in the Republic of Serbia. Public Administration and Management Review, 40(1), 23-38.
32. Jaroliya, D. & Gyanchandani, R. (2022). Transformational leadership style: A boost or hindrance to team performance. Vilakshan-XIMB Journal of Management, 19(1),        87-105.
33. Jora, R. B. & Mehra, S. (2022). Employee satisfaction model: case of private institutions in Indian higher education. International Journal of Business Excellence, 28(2),        171-187.
34. Juma, D. O. & Ndisya, S. N. (2016). Influence of transformational leadership on employee performance. A case study of Safaricom limited. Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, (Doctoral dissertation, COHRED, JKUAT).
35. Kawiana, I. G. P., Riana, I. G., Rihayana, I. G. & Adi, I. N. R. (2020). How transformational leadership intensify employee performance mediating by job satisfaction. Journal Ilmiah Majemen, 10(3), 454-468.
36. Khalili, A. (2016). Linking transformational leadership, creativity, innovation and innovation supportive climate. Management Decisions, 54(9), 2277-2293.
37. Khan, N. U., Han, P. Z. H. & Ariza-Montes, A. (2023). Linking public leadership and projects success: The mediating role of team building. Humanities and Social Science Communication, 10(1), 10-21.
38. Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: Methods and techniques (2^nd revised edition). New Delhi: New Age International.
39. Le Ngoc, H. (2021). Leadership, governance, management, administration in training teachers and education officers. VNU Journal of Science: Education Research, 37(3). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.25073/2588-1159/vnuer.4555
40. Lin, S. H., Scott, B. A. & Matta, F. K. (2019). The dark side of transformational leadership behaviours for leaders themselves: A conservation of resources perspective. Academy of Management Journal, 62(5), 1556-1582.
41. Malawi Public Service Reform Policy, (2018–2022). National planning commission. Malawi: Lilongwe.
42. Manzoor, F., Wei, L., Nurunnabi, M., Subhan, A.A., Shah, S.A.A. & Fallatah, S. (2019). The impact of transformational leadership on job performance and IRS as mediator in SMEs. Sustainability, 11(2), 436-451.
43. Mathende, T. & Yousefi, I. (2021). Transformational leadership role and means. Efficacy on work performance under volatile uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment. Journal of Leadership, 10(1), 277-299.
44. McCleskey, J. A. (2014). Situational, transformational, and transactional leadership and leadership development. Journal of Business Studies Quarterly, 5(4), 117-130.
45. Mufeed, U. (2018). Impact of transformational leadership on employee engagement: An empirical study. MANTHAN: Journal of Commerce and Management, 5(1), 75-87.
46. Mutonyi, B. R., Slatten, T. & Lien, G. (2020). Organisational climate and creative performance in the public sector. European Business Review, 32(4), 615-631.
47. Nathan Associates Inc. (2018) ‘Malawi wage bill analysis’ leadership in public financial management II. Retrieved from https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00TDPP.pdf
48. Peng, J., Li., M., Wang, Z. & Lin, Y. (2020). Transformational leadership and employee’s reactions to organizational change: The evidence from a Meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Behaviour Science, 12(5), 1-29.
49. Rahman, S., Teicher, J., Cox, J. W. & Alam, Q. (2023). Slipstreaming for public sector reform: How enterprising public leader navigate institutional inertia. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 33(1), 4-18.
50. Rahmi, A., Bafada, I., Imron, A. & Utaya, S. (2019). The transformational leadership of school principals, organizational climate and the professional attitude of teachers. International. Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 5(4), 30-45.
51. Renjith, V., Reni, G. & George, A. (2015). Transformational leadership in nursing. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management Studies, 22(1), 112-118.
52. Sikwese, I. I. (2013). Public sector reforms in Malawi: How to support implementation of the economic recovery plan. Retrieved from https://assets.website-files.com/5be8fc6d1307941d41051ae1/5be8fc6d13079409f0051baf_Mr%20Sikwese%20ECAMA%20PPT%20FINAL.pdf
53. Sundi, K. (2013). Effect of transformational leadership and transactional leadership on employee performance of konawe education department at Southeast Sulawesi. International Journal of Business and Management Invention, 2(12), 50-58.
54. Thusi, X., Matyana, M. & Jili, N. N. (2023). Lack of political will: A barrier to public service delivery in South Africa and a high cost for citizens. Journal of Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities, 9(2), 137-147.
55. Wright, B. E. & Pandey, S. K. (2010). Transformational leadership in public sector: Does structure matter? Journal of Public Administration, Research and Theory, 20(1), 75-89.
56. Xiaolong, T. & Christensen, T. (2022). Leading groups: Public sector reforms with Chinese characteristics in a post-NPM era. International Public Management Journal, 26(1), 66-86.
57. Yukl, G. A. (2013). Leadership in organizations (8^th edition). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Education.
58. Thapa, A., Parimoo, D., Kovid, R. & Sharma, G. (2023). Mediating effect of CSR on the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational performance in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Interdisciplinary Journal of Management Studies, 17(1), 95-110. Retrieved from doi:10.22059/ijms.2023.343720.675133