Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies current issue

Taken on Faith? The Impact of Uncertainty, Knowledge Relatedness, and Richness of Information on Entrepreneurial Opportunity Exploitation

Wood, M. S., Pearson, J. M. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:53:25 PDT

This article develops a theoretical model that suggests that differential levels of uncertainty, knowledge relatedness, and richness of information will have a substantial impact on the decision to engage in entrepreneurship. Effects of the individual differences fear of failure and general self-efficacy are also considered. Using a metric conjoint methodology, respondents are asked to evaluate a series of profiles with different levels of each attribute and then indicate their willingness to invest in an entrepreneurial opportunity. This approach allows for the calculation of main and interaction effects as well as the importance of each factor in the investment decision. Results indicated that all three factors and their interactions play a significant role in the decision to engage in entrepreneurial action. The degree of opportunity-related uncertainty was found to be the most important factor in the decision-making process.

The Emergence of Business-to-Consumer E-Commerce: New Niche Formation, Creative Destruction, and Contingency Perspectives

Tangpong, C., Islam, M., Lertpittayapoom, N. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:53:25 PDT

This study examines the emergence of business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce from new niche formation, creative destruction, and contingency perspectives. Based on multiretail-sector data, this study supports the contingency perspective. The findings suggest that in digitally related sectors, B2C e-commerce has emerged through a creative destruction process whereby B2C e-commerce expands at the expense of traditional retailing; thus, addressing the e-commerce trend becomes traditional firms’ strategic imperative. Conversely, in digitally unrelated sectors, B2C e-commerce has emerged through a new niche formation process whereby B2C e-commerce coexists with traditional retailing; thus, embracing the e-commerce trend becomes the traditional firms’ strategic choice.

Leader's ICT Usage's Influence on Follower's Positive Work Attitudes Via Perceived Leader-Follower Relations

Borekci, D. Y. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:53:25 PDT

In this study, leader’s information and communication technology (ICT) usage in conducting business and in communication is indicated as having influence on follower’s positive work attitudes through the mediation of perceived leader-follower relations. Mediated regression analyses were conducted based on the followers’ perceptions data. The study revealed that ICT usage by leader affects follower’s perceptions related to his or her relation with his or her leader, which in turn influence follower’s positive work attitudes such as loyalty, trust, satisfaction, and perceived distributive justice.

Perspectives of Senior-Level Executives on Effective Followership and Leadership

Agho, A. O. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:53:25 PDT

Using a three-page questionnaire administered to a sample of 302 senior-level executives, this study examined the perceptions of executives on the distinguishing characteristics of effective leaders and followers. Most of the characteristics associated with effective leaders were perceived to be different from those associated with effective followers. A significant number of the respondents agreed that (a) leadership and followership are interrelated roles; (b) leadership and followership skills have to be learned; (c) effective leaders and effective followers can influence work performance, quality of work output, satisfaction and morale, and cohesiveness of work groups; and (d) researchers have not devoted enough attention to the study of followership.

The Importance of Perceived Task Difficulty in Goal Orientation--Assigned Goal Alignment

Gerhardt, M. W., Luzadis, R. A. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:53:25 PDT

This study investigated the moderating effect of perceived task difficulty on the relationship between goal alignment and task performance. Using a sample of 131 participants, the relationship between trait learning goal orientation, assigned goal condition, and task performance was assessed. Results indicated that goal alignment was not significantly related to task performance overall. Perceived task difficulty did significantly moderate this relationship.

Exploring Dispositional Resistance to Change

Saksvik, I. B., Hetland, H. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:53:25 PDT

The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between Oreg’s recently developed scale on Resistance To Change (RTC) and its four sub factors and personality traits of the Five Factor Model (FFM). The sample consisted of 259 participants. Findings revealed that neuroticism correlated positively with the RTC Scale, while extraversion, openness to experience and agreeableness showed negative correlations with the RTC scale. Neuroticism correlated positively with three of the RTC sub factors, Routine seeking (RS), Emotional reaction (ER), and Short-term thinking (ST) respectively. Extraversion correlated negatively with the same three factors. Openness to experience correlation negatively with RS, while agreeableness correlated negatively with RS and ST. Conscientiousness correlated negatively with ST, but positively with RS. A regression analysis supported most of these findings. Use of the RTC scale could have special implications for managers in organizations making them more aware of diversity among employees.

Measuring the Outcomes of Leadership Development Programs

Black, A. M., Earnest, G. W. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:53:25 PDT

The lack of research evaluating the outcomes of leadership development programs and the lack of a suitable evaluation instrument are evident in the literature. This study represents the first attempt at providing a comprehensive method to evaluate and measure leadership development programs on a post-program level. Social learning theory, adult learning theory, and the EvaluLEAD framework influenced the theoretical model developed in this research. The EvaluLEAD principles provide a basis for the conceptual model and results in the development of a program evaluation instrument named the Leadership Program Outcomes Measure. Finally, the application of this measure to one statewide leadership development program is presented.

Maneuvering Space for Leadership

Espedal, B. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:53:25 PDT

The leadership literature reveals that the top executives of organizations need room to maneuver in order to affect organizational performance and adaptiveness. This article examines the basis for this conventional wisdom. The approach is first and foremost theoretical; however, illustrative data from a case study are also included. The discussion shows that maneuvering room for leaders is comprised of structural, social, and cognitive factors that provide guidelines and set constraints for leadership action. At the same time, leaders can be learning agents that influence and shape these aspects. Thus, guidelines and constraints represent both the conditions and the objects for leadership decision making and action.