Leadership Framework Research Articles

Creating a content validation process to advance a campus-wide leadership framework

PurposeA content validation process of an institutional leadership framework is described for leadership educators in higher education. We created this process to further integrate our leadership framework across campus, maintain alignment with advancements in leadership research and ensure it is broadly inclusive and culturally responsive.Design/methodology/approachOur approach included seven essential design elements and was informed by a review of leadership frameworks in practice and the literature, validation studies and a comprehensive document review.FindingsOur approach yielded a validated leadership framework with modifications to its principles, values, competencies and outcomes. Modifications addressed pre-determined criteria and were deemed relevant to leadership research and our institutional context.Originality/valueThe external content validation process of our leadership framework is novel and serves as a valuable guide for those considering opportunities to strengthen their own institutional approaches to leadership education.

Organic Community Leadership: An Integrated Perspective

Community, characterised by reciprocity and mutuality, represents one of the fundamental bases upon which society is built. Community leadership is a distinct leadership style that refers to civic-minded individuals who voluntarily and organically self-organise and devote their efforts towards leading issues of importance within their communities. This organic community leadership is a ‘collective relational phenomenon’ that is favoured in dynamic environments; the voluntary action of people within a community can help tackle community challenges at scale, with speed, and result in grassroot innovations. Despite its positive role in society, community leadership faces additional challenges to leadership in organisational settings, including understanding the spatial boundaries of a domain which spans different social fields, fostering linkages among groups where there is no formal authorisation, being receptive to varying ideologies, capabilities, and divergent viewpoints to foster collaboration, and managing unequal power distribution and divergent political agendas. The above opportunities and challenges posed by community leadership has meant that the past few decades have seen growing attention placed on the study of community leadership. Gaps remain in the body of knowledge in supporting the effective execution of community leadership. Authors argue that the leadership literature remains fragmented, many leadership frameworks/models remain agnostic of context, and there is a need for improved understanding of where and by whom leadership is enacted. Most studies to date concentrate on discrete aspects of the community leadership sphere. A more integrated perspective on organic community leadership is needed. Based on a SLR, this paper presents an integrated framework for organic community leadership. The framework emphasises human agency and fostering the collective efficacy of a broad coalition of community stakeholders to work towards a common purpose. It recognises the legitimisation process of emerging leaders and key leader behavioural considerations, framed within the context of fostering an appropriate environment for community cohesion, collaboration, and action. Thus, this paper takes a step towards providing a more holistic stance on the community leadership phenomenon.

Governance and Leadership in Enhancing SME Resilience in Ghana: A Systematic Literature Review

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are especially susceptible to pandemics. Consequently, resilience and adaptability to shocks from pandemics like COVID-19 are crucial. Nonetheless, although SMEs have strategies to cope with these, there is still a dearth of research on the nature and effectiveness of these coping strategies. Thus, it remains unclear how leadership and governance frameworks reduce SMEs’ vulnerability and increase their resilience to pandemic risk. This academic article provides a systematic literature review on the role of governance and leadership in enhancing the resilience of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. The review explores existing literature on SME resilience, environmental uncertainty, and the impact of governance frameworks. The article also focuses on how leadership practices in the Ghanaian context contribute to building SME resilience in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analysis revealed that there are opportunities for SMEs to adopt better governance and leadership practices that foster long-term resilience. Governance practices, such as formal structures, board diversity, and leadership, enable SMEs to respond to crises and navigate challenging situations. Moreover, leadership styles that prioritize governance procedures, especially transformational leadership, empower SMEs to maintain agility and innovation, thereby securing their survival and growth in a rapidly evolving environment. The review highlights the need for stronger governance frameworks and leadership development programs that equip SME owner-managers with the tools to navigate environmental uncertainties.

Leading Different Generational Cohorts in the Workplace: Focus on Situational and Inclusive Leadership

Five distinct generational cohorts, from the Silent Generation (born 1920s-1940s) to Generation Z (born 1996-2010s), are active in the workforce. These cohorts are defined by shared characteristics shaped by pivotal historical events influencing their worldviews and work behaviors. Each generation presents unique challenges due to differing values, expectations, and workplace norms. Effective organizational leaders must adeptly navigate these intergenerational dynamics. This paper (1) delineates the distinct characteristics, values, and motivations of each generational cohort; (2) conceptualizes situational and inclusive leadership approaches as preferred styles of leading a multi-generational workforce; and (3) suggests the Integrated Situational and Inclusive Leadership Framework that provides insights and actionable strategies for adaptive leadership that meet the diverse needs of these generational groups.

Integrative public leadership: a systematic review

PurposePublic leadership literature has recognised the need for specific integrative leadership style in boundary-crossing collaborations, and it has been proposed as a new umbrella term for describing such leadership in boundary-crossing settings. The article reviews the research literature on integrative leadership and describes and analyses its contents by answering the following question: What are the characteristics of integrative public leadership?Design/methodology/approachTo review the integrative leadership literature, a systematic literature review was conducted. The databases and search services included Web of Science, Andor provided by Tampere University, Scopus, Emerald, Business Source Ultimate (Ebsco) and ScienceDirect (Elsevier). The search terms were accordingly chosen as integrative leadership, integrative public leadership and public integrative leadership. From the hundreds of search hits 25 research articles were selected in the reviewing process to be further analysed through qualitative content analysis. Crosby and Bryson’s (2010) framework for understanding leadership and the creation and maintenance of cross-sector collaborations was used as a starting point for the categorisation.FindingsThe article presents an improved integrative leadership framework that helps to identify the factors shaping integrative leadership and visualises better the interconnection of structures, processes and participants, through which leadership is enacted in the collaborative network.Originality/valueThe article extends the knowledge on integrative public leadership and helps to direct future research.

Urban design leadership: Part 2, the case of public architects

AbstractThis paper, in two parts, explores the styles and application of urban design leadership as a dimension of urban design governance. This second part takes the theoretical framework for understanding urban design leadership developed in Part 1 and applies the theory to the varied practices of public architects across Europe. Based on interviews with protagonists involved in the delivery of these roles, the paper teases out how these functions can be understood in terms of leadership. Ultimately, urban design leadership is not a simple thing that should be replicated according to a standard formula from place to place. Instead, as the case of public architects demonstrates, in different ways that relate to opportunities provided by local governance and political traditions, such roles demonstrate the value of urban design as a form of design leadership at the urban scale. Their analysis also demonstrates the value of the framework advanced in Part 1, which proves to be a robust means to interrogate forms and episodes of urban design leadership. It provides a starting point for a research agenda that is ripe for further investigation.

A Systematic Literature Review of Intersectional Leadership in the Workplace: The Landscape and Framework for Future Leadership Research and Practice to Challenge Interlocking Systems of Oppression

Normalized, dominant leadership styles favoring masculinity and aggressiveness disregard the impact of intersectional social identities and inequities on leadership practices and perpetuate leadership gaps and inequities in organizations, for example, preventing women and people of color from advancing into leadership roles. This study aims to explore how intersectionality plays a role in workplace leadership and propose a framework for future leadership research and practice that foregrounds intersectionality. To achieve this aim, this study systematically classified and reviewed 160 empirical studies on intersectionality in leadership in work and organization contexts. Most studies described the leadership experiences and strategies of individuals from multiple marginalized, historically excluded (MMHE) groups and the factors that influence their leadership. Some studies presented the intersectional effects of leadership and illuminated relational and contextual aspects of the leadership process. We discussed tensions within the findings and proposed a framework for intersectional leadership based on the results of the literature review. We conclude with a call for illuminating intersectional leadership as a promising process to achieve organizational social justice.

Altruismi julkisjohtamisen kehyksenä

Altruism as a framework for public leadership This article examines altruism as a framework for public leadership. It also aims to analyse the meanings that public leaders attach to altruism in the context of meaningful public leadership. The empirical data consists of interviews with eighteen public leaders. The data has been analysed using antagonistic discourse analysis. Based on the research, it seems that altruism can be considered as a dominant way of thinking and approach in public leadership. Leaders described altruism and its meanings through 57 discourses. The discursive field lacked discourses that described altruism as part of good governance or ethics in public service. Contrasting discourses were the potential for altruism in the private and public sectors and the different motivational bases for altruism.

Strategic leadership for complex energy and oil & gas projects: A conceptual approach

Strategic leadership is essential for the success of complex energy and oil & gas projects, particularly those that involve large-scale, multidisciplinary teams navigating dynamic environments. This paper outlines a conceptual framework designed to enhance leadership effectiveness in managing such projects. The framework emphasises three key pillars: collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory alignment, which are critical for driving innovation and achieving operational success in the energy sector. In the context of collaboration, the framework advocates for fostering an inclusive team culture that encourages knowledge sharing and interdisciplinary cooperation. Effective leaders must cultivate relationships among diverse stakeholders, ensuring that varied perspectives are integrated into project planning and execution. This collaborative approach not only enhances problem-solving capabilities but also promotes a shared sense of ownership among team members. Stakeholder engagement is another crucial element of this leadership framework. Leaders must actively communicate with stakeholders—including government entities, local communities, and industry partners—to build trust and facilitate transparency. By understanding the needs and concerns of different stakeholders, leaders can align project objectives with broader societal and environmental goals, thereby minimizing resistance and enhancing project viability. Regulatory alignment is vital in the energy and oil & gas sectors, where compliance with industry regulations and environmental standards is paramount. The proposed framework guides leaders in navigating complex regulatory landscapes, ensuring that project strategies are aligned with legal requirements and best practices. This proactive approach mitigates risks associated with non-compliance, ultimately safeguarding the project's reputation and long-term sustainability. By integrating these pillars into their leadership practices, energy and oil & gas project leaders can drive innovation and operational excellence, even under challenging conditions. This conceptual approach underscores the importance of strategic leadership in managing complexity and achieving successful outcomes in the energy sector, paving the way for future advancements in project management methodologies. Keywords: Strategic Leadership, Energy Projects, Oil & Gas, Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement, Regulatory Alignment, Operational Success, Innovation, Project Management Framework.

A Categorical Framework of Ethical Leadership for Public Organizations: Testing a Multi-Dimensional Model of Local Government Managers

Organizational managers serve as ethical role models in their capacity as leaders. Mainstream research on ethics leadership is multidisciplinary, although empirical research is dominated by business administration and psychology scholars with less empirical work in public administration. This article develops and tests a categorical framework for ethical leadership behavior by applying it to data from a national survey of Chief Administrative Officers (CAO) of local governments in the United States. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) is used to test six dimensions of ethical leadership behavior and support is found for the model. This research is novel since it extends the ethical leadership research in business administration and psychology to local government managers and by extension, to public managers in general.

The relationship between leadership and adaptive performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This research presents a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of literature to examine the impact of various leadership styles on organizational adaptive performance (AP). AP is essential for job performance, especially in environments undergoing rapid changes. Previous reviews on AP found that transformational and self-leadership had had a positive influence on job adaptivity, while the relationship between other leadership styles and AP had not been clear. First, authors outlined the theoretical framework of AP and leadership, clarifying how job adaptivity and the different leadership styles are defined and discussed in the scientific literature. Subsequently four scientific databases were explored to identify studies that investigate the Leadership and AP' relationship. 32 scientific articles and 2 conference papers were investigated for review, of which 31 were used to conduct a meta-analysis; 52 different effect sizes from 32 samples were identified for a total sample size of 11.640 people. Qualitative synthesis revealed that the influence of different leadership styles on AP depended on contextual variables and on aspects related to the nature of the work. Moreover, it was found that leadership supported AP through motivational and relational aspects. Through this meta-analysis, it was found that a significant positive relationship between leadership and AP existed (Zr = .39, SE = .04, p < .001. 95%CI [.32, .47], r = .37). However, no differences emerged from the different leadership styles examined in the studies. This review deepens the importance of leadership as organizational factor that affect the employees' likelihood of dealing with continuously emergent changes at work, extended the search to emerging leadership approaches to highlight the value of collective contributions, ethics, and moral and sustainable elements that could positively affect AP.

Leading during long-term crises: an analysis of perceived effectiveness leadership in K-12 schools

PurposeThis research explored school leaders', teachers' and paraprofessionals' perceptions of effective leadership in special purpose private schools (SPPS) during long-term crises.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical data were derived from a purposeful sample of school leaders, teachers and paraprofessionals in Maine. Demographic information and semi-structured interviews were analyzed using a complexity leadership framework and a qualitative interpretive phenomenological approach (IPA).FindingsThe analysis revealed four major themes, including (1) presence, approachability and availability; (2) the need for high emotional intelligence; (3) creating a culture of idea-sharing, compassion, trust, community building and value and (4) understanding and acting on the complexity of long-term crisis.Research limitations/implicationsThe research took place in one state and within one subset of specialized schools, thus limiting applicability to leadership outside this subset of schools and in other states.Practical implicationsThe results can directly support identification of strategies for leaders in schools where long-term crisis is a factor.Originality/valueCurrent research explores factors and strategies for understanding and supporting teachers and paraprofessionals in schools during short-term crises (i.e. school shootings, natural disasters) but largely neglects how to support teachers and paraprofessionals experiencing long-term crises in school settings which is increasing in prevalence post COVID-19. Results and implications of leaders and staff were explored and analyzed in schools that experience long-term crises.

Leadership in Public Sector Interorganizational Networks: A Synthesis of the Literature and Propositions Based on a Multiple Case Study

Abstract Previous studies characterize public sector interorganizational networks as sets of horizontal relationships between autonomous organizations. Due to these horizontal relationships, networks seemingly offer a promising context for leadership beyond hierarchical tools of coordination as prevalent in individual, hierarchical organizations. However, despite the promising role of leadership in public sector networks, as yet no conceptualization of the functioning of leadership within this context has been developed. This is mainly due to the current disconnect between various branches of scholarly literature on collaborative governance, network management, and leadership. Based on a synthesis of the literature and an empirical investigation of three public sector networks in The Netherlands, this study aims to fill this gap by providing a conceptual framework of leadership in public sector interorganizational networks constituting the types, distribution, and directions of leadership behaviors and the formulation of four theoretical propositions that relate these behaviors to network context.

Child leader standing on a precipice: a case study of NextGenInnov8

Learning outcomes After completion of the case study, students will be able to identify the traits required in child leadership and the ability to apply “The Whole Leadership Framework” child leadership model today, identify and discover opportunities to promote child leadership and analyse its sustainable impact and analyse how innovation clubbed with sustainability will create a competitive advantage with special reference to the innovative ultraviolet-C light sterilisation Suraksha Box. Case overview/synopsis Aditya Pachpande was a child prodigy of India, who had stunned the world with his trailblazing attitude ever since the tender age of 12. Aditya’s father, Sandeep Pachpande, a Harvard alumnus, wondered – “My son is ahead of his time. Would institutions ever acknowledge my innovative boy as a child leader? Will my child become a teen chief executive officer (CEO)? Will he ever get accepted?” Aditya leads by example as a student, changemaker, edupreneur, innovator and keynote speaker. He thinks, “Age is just a number”, but has had to shout out loud to be heard. With the nickname “Lecture man” given by his teachers and peers, he went on to contribute in endorsing skill-based experiential and discovery-based teaching-learning that addresses real-world issues and sustainable development goals. A CEO at the age of 11 years, he co-founded NextGenInnov8 Global Solutions Private Limited and NextGenInnov8 Social Foundation. Although achieving these milestones, he had to manoeuvre through several curve balls hurled at him by the system. Not the one to ever compromise on ethics, values and purpose, today he was at the crossroads – whether he should choose social change over-commercialisation of his business, simplicity and minimalism over product perfection, crowdfunding over loans or angel investors, manufacture in China or make in India just to name a few. The unstoppable Aditya, aspiring for acceptance, dreamt that someday, these policymakers and businesses would acknowledge child innovators and not write them off just because they were adolescents. Aditya, standing on a precipice, dreamt along. Complexity academic level This case has been particularly focused on postgraduate-early stage-level students pursuing business or entrepreneurial education-related programs. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.

Innovative Leadership for Social Impact: A Study of Benin’s Accounting, Finance and Economic Strategy

This study delves into the innovative leadership strategies employed in Benin to drive social impact and economic growth. Despite global economic challenges, Benin has emerged as a model for leveraging innovative leadership to address socioeconomic issues. Through a combination of surveys and semi-structured interviews with policymakers, business leaders, and community stakeholders, this research explores the core elements of Benin’s accounting and economic strategy. The study employed qualitative analysis methods to process the data, identifying transformative policies and initiatives that have spurred sustainable development and social progress. The findings reveal that Benin’s success is attributed to robust leadership frameworks, inclusive decision-making processes, and strategic implementations. Specifically, the research highlights how visionary leadership has effectively contributed to accounting and economic resilience, poverty reduction, and improved quality of life for citizens. Additionally, the study underscores the critical role of accounting leadership in fostering inclusive growth and provides actionable insights for policymakers and leaders aiming to replicate Benin’s success in other contexts. By adding to the academic discourse on accounting leadership and economic development, this study offers practical implications for enhancing accounting socioeconomic outcomes through innovative accounting leadership strategies.

Development and validation of an infectious disease control competency scale for public health professionals

BackgroundInfectious diseases persistently pose global threats, and it is imperative to accelerate the professionalization of public health workforce. This study aimed to develop and validate the infectious disease control competency scale (IDCCS) for public health professionals to fill a theoretical gap and elevate practical capabilities by informing public health professionals’ development goals.MethodsThe initial item pool was generated through a literature review, and categorized into three dimensions (knowledge, practical skills, and leadership) based on the competency iceberg model and public health leadership framework. A two-round Delphi process was conducted to determine indicators within the scale. A pilot survey was utilized for item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). A formal survey was employed for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The weight value of each indicator was calculated using the analytic hierarchy process.ResultsAn initial scale with three primary items, 14 secondary items, and 81 tertiary items was generated. Twenty experts participated in the two rounds of the Delphi process. Authority coefficients exceeded 0.9 in both rounds. Kendall's W was 0.29 and 0.19, respectively (both P < 0.001). Item analysis presented a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.98, with corrected item-total correlation coefficients ranging from 0.33 to 0.78. EFA demonstrated that cumulative variance explanations for the four primary dimensions (knowledge, practical skills, leadership, and personal quality) were 77.463%, 73.976%, 81.174%, and 68.654%, respectively. CFA indicated that all composite reliability values and average variance extracted surpassed 0.8 and 0.5, respectively. The standardized factor loadings of the items ranged from 0.630 to 0.977. Among the seven model fit indices, each of the four dimensions satisfied at least five criteria. A final three-level scale comprising four primary items, 14 secondary items, and 64 tertiary items was constructed. The weight values for the four primary items were 0.4064, 0.2878, 0.2082, and 0.0981, respectively.ConclusionsThe IDCCS was established to evaluate the competencies of knowledge, practical skills, leadership, and personal quality for public health professionals in infectious disease control. This scale demonstrates good reliability and validity, and can be used for performance evaluation, recruitment processes, curriculum development, and individual self-assessment.

Collective leadership development in the civic arena

PurposeAs a collective paradigm of leadership emerges in the literature, many community leadership programs still align with leader-centric perspectives. The Kansas Leadership Center’s Leadership Transformation Grant is an exemplar of developing collective leadership in the civic arena. The purpose of this article is twofold: (1) to present the findings of a community-engaged, qualitative research study on the impact of collective leadership development on the practice of civic leadership and (2) to discuss relevant implications learned from reflections on the methodology for the practice of community-engaged research.Design/methodology/approachThis study is a form of engaged research (Van de Ven, 2007) and is consistent with the principles of community-based research (Strand, Marullo, Cutforth, Stoecker, &amp; Donohue, 2003). I took an exploratory approach to this study because the knowledge intersection of collective leadership, civic leadership and leadership development is still emerging and understudied. I explored the individual, group and systems levels as three components of a complex adaptive system (Uhl-Bien, Marion, &amp; McKelvey, 2007). To better understand the dynamic relationship between individual, group and system in this grant team, I employed a three-phase study including methods of deliberative civic engagement, open-ended survey and interview.FindingsFindings illustrate the effectiveness of the grant program on developing a shared language and leadership framework and clarifying leadership goals for participants. Implications include the importance of collective leadership development opportunities that center adaptive challenges and convene participants across levels of leadership and sectors. Additionally, the findings highlight the need to consider authority, identity and culture as central components of the practice of leadership. Reflections on the community-engaged methodology demonstrate the value of learning about leadership practices from the community practitioners to inform community leadership development interventions. Implications include approaching research as iterative and pushing back on academic norms that provide tension in engaged work.Originality/valueLittle research crosses all three boundaries of collective leadership, leadership development and civic leadership literature. This intersection focuses on understanding how collective leadership can contribute to enhancing the practice of civic leadership. The current study is situated within this knowledge gap and explores (1) the experiences of members of a civic group who have (2) participated in leadership development that (3) aligns with a collective leadership paradigm and are (4) trying to make progress on an adaptive challenge.

An Integrative Framework of Ethical Leadership

An Integrative Framework of Ethical Leadership

Tackling Corruption in the Public Sector: Innovative Approaches and Policy Reforms

Corruption in the public sector remains a significant challenge that undermines governance, economic growth, and public trust. This paper examines innovative approaches and policy reforms aimed at addressing corruption in public institutions. By exploring case studies from various countries, the research identifies successful strategies that incorporate technology, transparency, and accountability. Digital solutions such as blockchain, e-governance systems, and data analytics have emerged as effective tools in reducing corrupt practices by improving transparency in public procurement, financial transactions, and service delivery. Additionally, the paper highlights the importance of fostering a culture of integrity within public institutions through ethical leadership, whistleblower protections, and comprehensive legal frameworks. Policy reforms, including the implementation of anti-corruption agencies, stronger regulatory oversight, and international cooperation, are also discussed as essential components in the fight against corruption. The findings suggest that a multi-faceted approach combining technological innovations, institutional reforms, and public participation is critical to curbing corruption in the public sector. This study contributes to the broader discourse on governance and offers actionable insights for policymakers seeking to implement effective anti-corruption measures.

Ghana's basic education Headteacher leadership: critical discourse analysis of the Headteachers’ handbook

ABSTRACT The Ghana Education Service created the Headteachers' Handbook, a policy document that outlines Headteacher leadership practices. A recent review of Ghana's basic education Headteacher Leadership literature reported that these practices align within a hierarchy-horizontal leadership framework and are enacted within predetermined boundaries specific to the context. Therefore, this paper examined the Handbook's Forward, Introduction, Managing Your School, and Improving the Quality of Learning sections using Fairclough's (2001. Language and Power. 2nd ed. Harlow, UK: Pearson Education) three-stage approach to critical discourse analysis to identify how leadership is constructed and produced. The study shows that the Handbook constructs Headteacher leadership through relational authority, producing responsibilization, accountability, obligations and constraint roles. As such, Headteachers have discourse constraints and limitations when enacting leadership through this predetermined discourse. This paper provides a point of reference for present and potential researchers and Headteachers to theorize about the future of Headteacher leadership in Ghana.