Investigating the Relationship Between Confucianism and Leadership: A Comparative Study of University Faculty

This article describes how due to the potential impact of cultural factors on leadership, further research of foreign contexts is needed. A study was designed to examine relationships between Confucian values and leadership preferences in a South Korean context. First, the Vannsimpco Leadership Survey (VLS) was given to faculty from both a South Korean and American university. Responses from each group were then averaged by leadership style and statistically compared using the Mann-Whitney U formula. Results revealed significantly higher Korean preferences for autocratic-transformational (U = 365.50, p < .001) autocratic-transactional (U = 453.00, p < .001), and transactional leadership (U = 613.50, p < .05). In contrast to Korean faculty, American respondents significantly preferred transformational leadership (U = 601.00, p < .05). Empirical analysis suggests that hybrid leadership styles are needed in South Korea to address complex interdependent Confucian values, which support both autocratic and democratic social layers.