The Effect of Leadership Style on Satisfaction Levels of Tour Quality

Abstract

The effect of authoritarian versus democratic leadership styles on tour members'satisfaction with tour quality was investigated. The final sample consisted of 24 high school teacher-leaders and 287 student-followers. It was found that at the initial stage of the tour the members under authoritarian leadership are the most satisfied, but that at the later stage the members under democratic leadership are the most satisfied. In addition, a significant relationship was found between satisfaction with tour quality and leadership style at the initial and latter stages of the tour. The implication of these results for a formulation of the group process with travelers is discussed.