A grounded theory study on leader authority formation process in China
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on the authority formation process of Chinese enterprise leaders, with the purpose of finding out how an ordinary newly established firm leader develops into a real top leader and achieves the status of legitimacy in a well-known enterprise.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on constructivist grounded theory, this paper investigates the formation mechanism of entrepreneurial authority in China by using the rich data of Liu Chuan-zhi’s leader activities.
Findings
In the “evolution” path of authority formation, leaders continually consolidate and improve their authority through two classes of exceptional management activities: “emergency rescue” and “promotion activities”. The successful realization of exceptional management activities benefits from a leader’s management experience accumulation and relationship maintenance with the government. In the “design” path of authority formation, leaders consolidate and improve their authority by exercising their position of power. Leaders’ legitimacy is reflected by making strategic decision and demonstrating discretion of position power. Additionally, passing on an inspiring leader’s thoughts and ideas to an organization’s members is accomplished through the construction of organization culture, institutionalization and convention.
Research limitations/implications
First, the findings are based on only Liu Chuan-zhi’s case. The authors still need more cases to compare and develop the findings and seek theoretical saturation in a broader sense. Second, the qualitative analysis is based on secondary data and future research could consider the introduction of interviews, video and other types of research data.
Originality/value
Under the parallel paths which are “evolution” and “design”, the dynamic leader authority formation model in China is founded.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Disclaimer: Originally published in Chinese in the Nankai Business Review, Zhang et al., “A grounded theory study on leader authority formation process in China” NBR, 2015, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 4-12.
The authors acknowledge the financial support of National Natural Science Foundation of China key project: (No. 71032002; No. 71232014).
Citation
Zhang, X.-f., Zhang, X.-j., Li, L., Li, G.-q. and Xi, Y.-m. (2016), "A grounded theory study on leader authority formation process in China", Nankai Business Review International, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 345-360. https://doi.org/10.1108/NBRI-03-2016-0011
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited