Examining the transformational leadership tendencies of serious and casual leisure participant sports management students

¹ Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Institute of Graduate Studies, 53100 Rize, Turkiye
² Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, 53100, Rize, Turkiye

^* Corresponding author: umit.dogan.ustun@gmail.com

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the transformational leadership tendencies exhibited by sports management students who engage in both serious and casual leisure activities. The study employed the relational screening model, which is a quantitative research technique. A total of 117 students from the Department of Sports Management at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, participated in the study. The participants were selected using the simple random sampling method and willingly participated in the study. Data in the study were gathered through the utilization of the “Transformational Leadership Scale” and a personal information form created by the researchers. The scale comprises 8 questions that endorse a unidimensional structure. The data was analyzed using descriptive measures such as percentage, frequency, and cross-tabulation, as well as more advanced statistical tests including independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance test, and partial correlation analysis. The analysis results indicate that there were no significant differences in the participants’ transformational leadership tendencies based on their gender and type of being serious or casual leisure participant. However, a significant difference was found based on the participants’ class. First-year students exhibited a significantly higher inclination towards transformational leadership compared to second-year students. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation found between the ages of the participants and their tendency towards transformational leadership.