Exploring the Entrepreneurship–Leadership Nexus

Abstract

There is a proven linkage amongst the theories, practice, and literatures of entrepreneurship, management, and leadership. Accordingly, this chapter explores these linkages in policing and criminal contexts. Traditionally, the police have adopted a combination of heroic, bureaucratic, and autocratic approaches to leadership although individual police leaders do utilise a wide variety of appropriate leadership styles including charismatic and Laissez–Faire leadership. Great Man theory also influences police leadership styles and actions. Other novel appropriate leadership styles such as ‘humble’ and ‘agile’ leadership are also considered because of their potential fit with entrepreneurial policing philosophy and practice. Police leadership is immersed in the Military model of policing discussed in Chapter 2 and this includes its semiotics and symbolism. There is an inherent and ongoing tension between two very different competing leadership styles namely the ‘Commander Model’ versus the ‘Executive Model’. Both are relevant in different circumstances.

Citation

Smith, R. (2021), "Exploring the Entrepreneurship–Leadership Nexus", Entrepreneurship in Policing and Criminal Contexts (Contemporary Issues in Entrepreneurship Research, Vol. 12), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 69-91. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2040-724620210000012004