A Scientific Decision-Making Framework to Aid the Selection of Leadership Styles for Project Success

Evidence shows that there is no one generally accepted leadership style used in any project environment. As such, there is the need to have a scientific decision-making framework to aid the selection of suitable leadership styles for project success. Based on a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) theory, an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to choose two leadership styles. The study unveiled a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making AHP model for leadership style selection. The AHP model showed that transformational and transactional leadership styles are the ideal leadership styles for construction project success in Ghana. It can be deduced that project managers that exhibit the elements of transformational and transactional leadership styles based on the project environment can influence the success of construction projects. The chapter developed a new AHP model for leadership style selection within the built industry, and the process can be replicated in other sectors. Target Audience This chapter is targeted at decision analysts, project practitioners, researchers, and students. To decision analysts, the chapter will inform them on how to make educated and acceptable decisions using a scientific method. This is because the AHP helps obtain a consolidated result for inputs from diverse human resources using the geometric mean. To project practitioners, this chapter will help identify the most appropriate leadership styles that will enhance their success on projects. Considering that COVID-19 has placed restrictions on the movement of some goods, services, and people, project management practitioners in emerging economies should demonstrate an in-depth understanding of managing projects successfully, and this chapter will help achieve that. Researchers will gain advanced knowledge on the development of models using the analytic hierarchy process. Finally, students will be equipped with knowledge on using the AHP framework within the domain of a MCDM theory.