LEADERSHIP STYLES AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN FOOD PROCESSING COMPANIES IN KWARA STATE

Abstract

Abstract In today's dynamic organizational environment, the effectiveness of conflict management is heavily influenced by leadership styles with certain challenges. Democratic leadership can result in slow decision-making and confusion due to the need for consensus, while transformational leadership might overshadow immediate conflict resolution needs and lead to perceptions of favoritism. It therefore becomes imperative to highlight and explore how different leadership styles impact conflict management strategies which will bring about employee satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of leadership styles on conflict management in food processing companies in Kwara State. Through a quantitative research approach, primary data were collected from 201 employees across three companies—Olam Nig. Ltd, Annie Glidden Commodities Nig. Limited, and Food pro Group. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design and structured questionnaire, data on leadership styles and conflict management strategies were collected. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis revealed significant positive relationships between the two leadership styles.Democratic leadership was found to facilitate collaborative problem-solving, while transformational leadership inspired innovative conflict resolution approaches. The study concludes that adopting appropriate leadership styles is crucial for effective conflict management. Recommendations include tailored leadership training programmes, promoting participative leadership practices, and enhancing transformational leadership skills to improve conflict resolution and overall organizational performance.