WHAT WORKS FOR THE GANDER DOES NOT WORK AS WELL FOR THE GOOSE - THE EFFECTS OF LEADER-BEHAVIOR

This study examines the effects of leader behaviors and leader gender on employees' perceptions of support from the organization and employe e commitment to the organization. Ninety-one employees completed a sur vey measuring leader behaviors, perceived organizational support, and organizational commitment. Results confirmed the hypothesis that a hig h interpersonal orientation and high task orientation had the most pos itive effect on employee attitudes. However, the high interpersonal or ientation and high task orientation were not equally effective for bot h female and male leaders. Employees perceived more support from the o rganization when their supervisors, either female or male, used a high consideration-high initiating structure style than when they used a l ow consideration-low initiating structure style. On the other hand, on ly those employees who work for a male supervisor who is high in consi deration and high in initiating structure were more committed to the o rganization.