Paths from leadership to upward influence

Abstract

Purpose

This inquest into consumer goods companies in Vietnam aims to examine if leadership influences corporate social responsibility (CSR) and emotional intelligence (EI), which in turn influences upward influence behavior. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling approach contributed to the analysis of 406 responses returned from self-administered structured questionnaires sent to 690 middle level managers.

Findings

From the findings emerged a model of upward influence behavior and its antecedents such as leadership, CSR, and EI. Transformational leadership, ethical CSR, and high level of EI were found to nurture organizationally beneficial upward influence tactics.

Originality/value

Through the findings of the study, the insight into the leadership-based model of upward influence behavior underscores the role of transformational leadership style, ethical CSR, as well as team EI in the cultivation of organizationally beneficial upward influence tactics in consumer goods companies in Vietnam business context.

Citation

Luu, T. (2014), "Paths from leadership to upward influence", World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 243-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJEMSD-01-2014-0002