Citation:
Declan Fitzsimons, Kim Turnbull James and David Denyer, Alternative Approaches for Studying Shared and Distributed Leadership, International Journal of Management Reviews, Special Issue: Distributed Leadership, Volume 13, Issue 3, September 2011, Pages 313–328
Abstract:
Scholars hold different perspectives about leadership which are not limited to a
formally appointed leader. Of the abundance of terms used to describe this
phenomenon, shared and distributed are the most prevalent. These terms are often
used interchangeably, resulting in confusion in the way that shared and
distributed leadership is conceptualized and investigated. This paper provides a
historical development of this field, challenges existing conceptions and
reveals inconsistencies and contradictions that are seldom acknowledged. Four
distinct approaches to the study of shared and distributed leadership are
identified in the literature, each embracing different ontological views and
leadership epistemologies. Individually, the four approaches offer valuable -
yet partial - understanding. Comparing and contrasting the assumptions and
insights from the four approaches raises fundamental issues about how we think
about leadership in terms of research, practice and development.