A contingency theory that focuses on followers' readiness:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:

The Situational Leadership Theory (SLT), developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard, is the only major contingency theory among the choices that explicitly centers its prescription on the concept of **followers' readiness**—often referred to as maturity. Readiness is defined as a combination of two factors: the follower's **ability** (competence, knowledge, and skill) and their **willingness** (commitment, motivation, and confidence) to complete a specific task. The core premise of SLT is that effective leadership requires the leader to accurately diagnose one of the four readiness levels (R1 to R4) and then adjust their behavior to match the corresponding leadership style (S1: Telling, S2: Selling, S3: Participating, S4: Delegating). The theory is fundamentally prescriptive, guiding the leader to adapt their task and relationship focus to fit the subordinate's current state of maturity.

The incorrect option is 2:

Leader Member Exchange Theory (LMX) is a descriptive, rather than prescriptive, theory that focuses on the unique, dyadic relationship between a leader and each individual follower. LMX explains how leaders develop different exchange relationships with followers, resulting in 'in-groups' (high-quality exchanges based on trust and respect) and 'out-groups' (low-quality exchanges based on formal authority). The theory does not use the comprehensive, task-specific definition of follower *readiness* as its central contingency variable for choosing a leadership style. Instead, it highlights how relationship quality, which is built over time, impacts organizational outcomes.

The incorrect option is 3:

Path Goal Theory, propounded by Robert House, is a contingency theory, but it focuses on how leaders clarify the 'path' for followers to achieve 'goals' by providing support, guidance, and rewards. Its primary purpose is to enhance follower motivation by aligning rewards with performance and clarifying the necessary behaviors. The contingency variables include **follower characteristics** (such as perceived ability and locus of control) and **environmental factors** (like task structure). While follower traits are considered, the theory does not utilize the composite measure of overall 'readiness' (ability *plus* willingness) to determine the ideal leadership behavior.

The incorrect option is 4:

The Leader Participation Model, also known as the Vroom-Yetton or Vroom-Jago model, is a highly specific contingency framework that focuses exclusively on determining the degree of **follower participation in decision-making**. The model works by asking a series of diagnostic, yes/no questions about the nature of the problem, the required quality of the decision, and the need for follower commitment. It then suggests one of five distinct decision styles (Autocratic, Consultative, or Group). It is a decision-making tool that does not center on the follower's overall task readiness or maturity for broader leadership application.