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Efficacy Beliefs, Empowering Leadership, and Project Success in Public Research Centers: An Italian–Polish Study

Author

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  • Guido Capaldo

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 83100 Naples, Italy)

  • Vincenza Capone

    (Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, 83100 Naples, Italy)

  • Jolanta Babiak

    (Department of Management Systems and Organizational Development, Faculty of Computer Science and Management, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Beata Bajcar

    (Department of Management Systems and Organizational Development, Faculty of Computer Science and Management, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Dorota Kuchta

    (Department of Management Systems and Organizational Development, Faculty of Computer Science and Management, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland)

Abstract

In the world of university research, although the figure of project manager is not formally foreseen, the principal researcher (PR) is, at many times, the last responsible the project results, schedule, and cost. The study aimed to investigate, in the light of the literature and through a cross-cultural study conducted in Italy and Poland, the relationship between soft skills (empowering leadership style, self-efficacy beliefs, and collective efficacy) of the principal researcher (PR) and the perceived success of research projects and satisfaction with the project, taking into account cross-cultural differences. A total of 67 PRs of complex projects in public universities (28 in Italy and 39 in Poland) participated in the study, completing a self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and correlational analyses. The results showed a significantly higher mean value for team management self-efficacy in a Polish sample and a higher satisfaction with projects in Italian sample. All the soft skills included in the study were related to project success and satisfaction with the project. The results could be used to identify possible ways of intervention to establish a more mature project culture in public research organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Guido Capaldo & Vincenza Capone & Jolanta Babiak & Beata Bajcar & Dorota Kuchta, 2021. "Efficacy Beliefs, Empowering Leadership, and Project Success in Public Research Centers: An Italian–Polish Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:6763-:d:580789
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    References listed on IDEAS

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