On “followers” and the inability to define

Abstract

Purpose

Scholars’ ability to do research based on the notions of “follower” and “followership” is questioned when studying formal leadership in organizations. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Critical comments are presented on the usefulness of the notions of followers and followership.

Findings

There are no evidence that followership exists other than some scholars’ perception of something that they have been unable to define. The conclusion is that the inability to define these notions is tantamount to the inability to research them.

Research limitations/implications

The literature review contains no new empirical data.

Originality/value

The paper stresses that study objects which are not theoretically and empirically defined cannot be investigated.

Citation

Andersen, J.A. (2019), "On “followers” and the inability to define", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 40 No. 2, pp. 274-284. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-11-2018-0414