Impact of project leadership on project success in offshore IT companies in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The study aims to examine how project leaders' leadership styles and teams' organizational commitment correlates with the success of the offshore information technology projects in Sri Lanka. The study mainly highlights the importance of leadership, by identifying the leadership styles and the relevant leadership characteristics and practice in Sri Lankan offshore IT companies to lead the IT projects effectively and efficiently. The findings of the project reveal that the suitable leadership styles to be practiced within Sri Lankan offshore IT companies are Transformational leadership styles that lead to characteristics of Idealized influence, Intellectual stimulation, Inspirational motivation and Individualized consideration. This identification helps IT project leaders to adopt these leadership styles and behaviors in order to enhance team members' organizational commitment, improve work performance, and consequently induce a positive working atmosphere. Academically, the study aims to provide additional insights into the leadership field as well as IT project management by contributing to the future development of the study area. 111