Making sense of business leadership vis-à-vis China's reform and transition

Date

2015

Authors

Ren, S.
Zhu, Y.

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Journal article

Citation

Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 2015; 36(7):867-884

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Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the contemporary paradigm of business leadership vis-à-vis China’s reform and transitional context. Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs an evidence-based approach to explore thebusiness leadership issues influenced by economic reform and within the context of societal transition inChina. A qualitative research method was adopted based on in-depth interviews with a number of middlemanagers from a variety of Chinese enterprises, including state-owned, domestic-private and foreigninvestedenterprises. Content analysis of several rounds of interviews added depth to the data analysis. Findings – The findings complement existing thoughts and illustrate concepts, issues, and characteristicsnot yet emphasized in mainstream literature. General patterns and associated characteristics of businessleadership in China, as well as specific patterns associated with different forms of enterprise ownerships,are identified. Research limitations/implications – The study makes a timely and necessary contribution thatenriches context-specific understandings of business leadership against the backdrop of surroundingeconomic, social, and cultural changes. Practical implications – The study enriches understandings of commonalities and differencesin leadership across the globe, facilitating working collaboratively to achieve common goals in a globalcommunity. Originality/value – The study offers new insights into business leadership by linking contextual,personal, and cognitional factors together and demonstrates some unique characteristics of leadershipstyles in transitional economies like China.

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Link to a related website: http://dro.deakin.edu.au/eserv/DU:30078389/ren-makingsense-post-2015.pdf, Open Access via Unpaywall

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Copyright 2015 Emerald

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