Impact of Leadership Style, Employee Motivation, and Organisational Culture on Employee Productivity in the Technology UK
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65080/ajbmss.v1i2.28Keywords:
Leadership style, employee motivation, organisational culture, employee productivity, UK technology sectorAbstract
Background: Employee productivity is paramount in sustaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving and fast-paced UK technology industry. Leadership style, employee motivation, and organisational culture have been recognised as determinants of productivity, although their simultaneous impact is less examined in this industry.
Aim: The study explored the impact of leadership style, employee motivation, and organisational culture on employee productivity in the UK technology industry.
Methods: A quantitative study design was used, and 337 employees from different UK technology firms completed a structured questionnaire. Using a five-point Likert scale, the questionnaire captured leadership style, motivation, organisational culture, and productivity. Data were examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis to verify the hypothesised relations.
Results: The results indicate that organisational culture has the strongest and most positive influence on employee productivity (β = 0.487, p < 0.001). The leadership style likewise shows a statistically significant positive impact on employee productivity (β = 0.205, p = 0.003). Employee motivation, however, suggests a positive but statistically insignificant influence (β = 0.071, p = 0.261). These findings suggest that although leadership style and organisational culture are the main drivers of productivity for the UK technology industry, employee motivation’s direct influence is less pronounced in this context.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that British technology companies must develop a healthy organisational culture and transformational leadership to improve productivity. Employee motivation Although critical, employee motivation could operate indirectly through these variables. The research provides practicable recommendations for managers and policymakers looking to maximise human capital and create sustainable productivity growth in technologically rapid environments.
Downloads
References
Ab Hamid, M. R., Sami, W., & Sidek, M. M. (2017). Discriminant validity assessment: Use of Fornell & Larcker criterion versus HTMT criterion. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 890(1), 012163. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/890/1/012163
Abdul-Azeez, O., Ihechere, A. O., & Idemudia, C. (2024). Transformational leadership in SMEs: Driving innovation, employee engagement, and business success. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 22(3), 1894–1905. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.22.3.1888
Ahmad, S. (2021). Motivation and performance: A psychological process. International Journal of Business and Management Research, 9(2), 104–112. https://doi.org/10.37391/IJBMR.090201
Ahn, Y., & Bessiere, J. (2022). The role of participative leadership in empowerment and resident participation. Sustainability, 14(18), 11223. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811223
Al-Baidhani, A., & Alsaqqaf, A. (2022). The Impact of Leadership on Employees’ Productivity and the Mediation Role of Motivation. Leadership & Organizational Behavior eJournal, 13 (21). http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275791
Ali, B. J., & Anwar, G. (2021). An empirical study of employees’ motivation and its influence job satisfaction. International Journal of Engineering, Business and Management, 5(2), 21–30. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijebm.5.2.3
Ali, S. A., & Yin, W. (2024). Working environment and employee performance in Chinese service firms: An analysis of hotels and tourism companies. Pioneer Journal of Business and Management, 2(1), 1-8. https://www.sandermanpub.net/current/pjbm/211/020101.html
Aljumah, A. (2023). The impact of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation on job satisfaction: The mediating role of transactional leadership. Cogent Business & Management, 10(3), 2270813. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2270813
Alshehri, A. A. M. (2024). Theoretical Foundations of Transformational Leadership in Modern Organisations. 44(2), 60–69. https://doi.org/10.24297/ijmit.v10i5.623
Belitski, M., Stettler, T., Wales, W., & Martin, J. (2023). Speed and scaling: An investigation of accelerated firm growth. Journal of Management Studies, 60(3), 639–687. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12869
Celestin, M., Vasuki, M., Sujatha, S., & Kumar, A. D. (2024). Enhancing Employee Satisfaction and Engagement to Boost Productivity: The Role of Leadership, Culture, and Recognition Programs. International Journal of Computational Research and Development, 9(2), 67–74. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13871930
Cheung, G. W., Cooper-Thomas, H. D., Lau, R. S., & Wang, L. C. (2024). Reporting reliability, convergent and discriminant validity with structural equation modeling: A review and best-practice recommendations. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 41(2), 745–783. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-023-09871-y
Haji-Othman, Y., & Yusuff, M. S. S. (2022). Assessing reliability and validity of attitude construct using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Int J Acad Res Bus Soc Sci, 12(5), 378–385. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v12-i5/13289
Higginbotham, D. (2024). Diversity in the tech industry. Available from: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/information-technology/diversity-in-the-tech-industry (Accessed on: 02 Dec 2024).
Hing, L. S. S., Sakr, N., Sorenson, J. B., Stamarski, C. S., Caniera, K., & Colaco, C. (2023). Gender inequities in the workplace: A holistic review of organisational processes and practices. Human Resource Management Review, 33(3), 100968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2023.100968
Imran, U. D., Ghazwan, M. F., & Firmansyah, F. (2025). The Effect of Recognition and Appreciation on Employee Motivation and Performance. Economics and Digital Business Review, 6(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.37531/ecotal.v6i1.1890
Jerab, D., & Mabrouk, T. (2023). The role of leadership in changing organisational culture. Available at: SSRN 4574324. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4574324
Jones, K. R., Gwynn, E. P., & Teeter, A. (2019). Quantitative or qualitative: Selecting the right methodological approach for credible evidence. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 7(2), 5. https://doi.org/10.54718/KUET2761
Kandel, M., Timilsina, J., & Budhathoki, D. K. (2025). Unlocking Employee Potential: Effectiveness of Incentive Practices in Nepalese Banks through Expectancy Theory. Interdisciplinary Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 6(1), 143–159. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijmss.v6i1.75400
Karsim, K., Susilowati, E., Setiawan, W. B., Syafii, M., & Rijal, S. (2023). Nurturing Job Satisfaction: Social Interactions and Work Environment via Empowering Motivation. Jurnal Informatika Ekonomi Bisnis, 5(3), 772–778. https://doi.org/10.37034/infeb.v5i3.645
Kock, N. (2018). Should bootstrapping be used in pls-sem? Toward stable p-value calculation methods. Journal of Applied Structural Equation Modeling, 2(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.47263/JASEM.2(1)02
Kongkaew, W. W., & Nuangjamnong, C. (2023). A study of the effect of leadership style towards organisational culture on job satisfaction and employee performance in Bangkok. Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (ISSN: 2408-1906), 8(2), 21–34. Available from: https://assumptionjournal.au.edu/index.php/eJIR/article/view/7804
Lee, H.-W. (2019). Moderators of the motivational effects of performance management: A comprehensive exploration based on expectancy theory. Public Personnel Management, 48(1), 27–55. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091026018783003
Milmo, D. (2025). Some British firms ‘stuck in neutral’ over AI, says Microsoft UK boss. The Guardian. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/05/uk-firms-ai-microsoft-uk-boss (Accessed on: 5 Mar 2025).
Misroame, J. K. (2023). Exploring site operatives’ motivation in the construction industry in Ghana the relevance of expectancy theory of motivation [PhD Thesis]. University of Education Winneba. http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/2606
Monyai, D. P., Mitonga-Monga, J., & Makhubele, B. W. (2024). Organisational culture and its influence on employees’ attitude towards organisational change in a developing country setting. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 13(9), 11–21. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v13i9.3769
Mweshi, G. K., & Sakyi, K. (2020). Application of sampling methods for the research design. Archives of Business Review, 8(11), 180–193. https://doi.org/10.14738/abr.811.9042
Nagori, R., & Lawton, N. R. (2025). The design of hybrid work for improved employee engagement and well-beingwell-being: Perspectives for HRD practice. International Journal of Human Resource Development Practice Policy & Research, 8(2), 83–99. https://doi.org/10.2478/ijhrd-2024-0010
Neuber, L., Englitz, C., Schulte, N., Forthmann, B., & Holling, H. (2022). How work engagement relates to performance and absenteeism: A meta-analysis. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 31(2), 292–315. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2021.1953989
Nzuva, S. M., & Mwende Kimanzi, P. (2022). The Impact of Organisational Culture on Employees’ Productivity: A Comprehensive Systematic Review. European Journal of Business and Management, http://dx.doi.org/10.7176/EJBM/14-4-05
Oladimeji, K. A., Abdulkareem, A. K., & Ishola, A. A. (2023). Talent Management, Organizational Culture and Employee Productivity: The Moderating Effect of Employee Involvement. Journal of HRM, 26(1). 43-56. https://doi.org/10.46287/DPKF9953
Ozili, P. K. (2023). The acceptable R-square in empirical modelling for social science research. In Social research methodology and publishing results: A guide to non-native English speakers (pp. 134–143). IGI global. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4128165
Page, L., Boysen, S., & Arya, T. (2019). Creating a culture that thrives. Organization Development Review, 51(1), 28–35.
Pougajendy, S., Mathiazhagan, A., & Karunamurthy, A. (2024). The Role of Organisational Culture in Driving Employee Engagement: Insights and Implications. Quing: International Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research and Development, 3(3), 26–32. https://doi.org/10.54368/qijmsrd.3.3.0009
Prayudi, A., Badewin, B., Machdie, M., & Arifansyah, A. (2024). The Role of Ethical Leadership, Corporate Culture, Employee Empowerment, and Organizational Commitment on Employee Productivity: Case Study of State Owned Enterprise Employee. International Journal of Business, Law, and Education, 5(2), 2663–2674. https://doi.org/10.56442/ijble.v5i2.929
Radu, C. (2023). Fostering a positive workplace culture: Impacts on performance and agility. In Human resource management-an update. IntechOpen., https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1003259
Rasool, S. F., Wang, M., Tang, M., Saeed, A., & Iqbal, J. (2021). How toxic workplace environment affects the employee engagement: The mediating role of organisational support and employee well-beingwell-being. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2294. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052294
Rukmana, I. J. (2020). The Influence of Leadership and Motivation on Employee Performance. Almana: Jurnal Manajemen Dan Bisnis, 4(2), 190–196. https://doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.210121.019
Shiyanbade, B. W., Obembe, M. P., Esan-Atanda, R., Adegoke, S. K., & Adenopo, K. B., (2024). Rebranding Local Government Administration and Constitutional Responsibility in Nigeria. Journal of Harbin Engineering University, 45(3), 16–21.
Spowage, M., Milne, K., & O’Neill, L. (2024). Skills for Today and Tomorrow. Publishers: UK Commission for Employment and Skills, ISBN: 978-1-906597-42-9.
Sunarni, S., Purnomo, E. P., Yuliza, M., & Yanuar, I. E. S. (2023). The Influence Of Sıtuatıonal Leadershıp Style On Employee Performance Through Job Satısfactıon. Asian Journal of Management, Entrepreneurship and Social Science, 3(04), 694–712. https://doi.org/10.46799/ijssr.v3i6.393
Syarifuddin, S. (2023). Can transformative leadership, work discipline, and work motivation improve employee performance? Advances: Jurnal Ekonomi & Bisnis, 1(3), 158–170. https://doi.org/10.60079/ajeb.v1i3.100
Bogale, A., & Debela, K. L. (2024). Organisational culture: A systematic review. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 2340129. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2340129
Taguchi, N. (2018). Description and explanation of pragmatic development: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research. System, 75, 23–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2018.03.010
TechUK. (2025). TechUK and Public First Poll: The State of UK Tech in 2025. Available from: https://www.techuk.org/resource/techuk-and-public-first-poll-the-state-of-uk-tech-in-2025.html (Accessed on: 10 Mar 2025).
Tinise, A. (2022). Impact of transactional leadership style on the performance of a project-based carpentry organisation in the Western [PhD Thesis]. Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Uka, A., & Prendi, A. (2021). Motivation as an indicator of performance and productivity from the perspective of employees. Management & Marketing, 16(3), 268–285. https://doi.org/10.2478/mmcks-2021-0016
Zickar, M. J., & Keith, M. G. (2023). Innovations in sampling: Improving the appropriateness and quality of samples in organisational research. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 10(1), 315–337. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-120920-052946
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Kyle Salisbury (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.