Leadership Strategies in Virtual Workspaces: Investigating Effective Manager-Employee Relationships in Remote Work Environment in the Software Industry of Pakistan

Sadia Shaikh; Muhammad Faisal Sultan; Muhammad Ovais Jummani

doi:10.52633/5g4bm913

Authors

Sadia Shaikh Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University, Karachi, Pakistan. Author
Muhammad Faisal Sultan KASBIT, Karachi, Pakistan. Author
Muhammad Ovais Jummani Independent Researcher Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52633/5g4bm913

Keywords:

Transformational Leadership, Transactional Leadership, Job Satisfaction, Communication Frequency, Remote Work, Virtual Workspace

Abstract

The shift to remote work has transformed traditional leadership dynamics, particularly in digitally driven sectors like the software industry. This study explores how transformational and transactional leadership styles influence job satisfaction among remote employees, with a specific focus on the moderating role of communication frequency. Drawing on Leader-Member Exchange theory, the research uses a quantitative approach with data collected from 168 remote software professionals. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to examine the hypothesized relationships. Results reveal that both transformational and transactional leadership positively affect job satisfaction, with transformational leadership having a stronger impact. Furthermore, communication frequency significantly moderates the relationship between transformational leadership and job satisfaction, amplifying its positive effect. However, no significant moderating effect was observed for transactional leadership. These findings underscore the importance of consistent communication in enhancing leadership effectiveness in virtual environments and offer practical guidance for software industry leaders navigating remote work dynamics.

Author Biographies

Sadia Shaikh, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University, Karachi, Pakistan.

Assistant Professor, Benazir School of Business, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Muhammad Faisal Sultan, KASBIT, Karachi, Pakistan.

Assistant Professor, KASBIT, Karachi, Pakistan.
Muhammad Ovais Jummani, Independent Researcher

Independent Researcher

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