Browsing by Author "Mostovicz, E. Issac"

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    A dynamic theory of leadership development
    (Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2009-12-31T00:00:00Z) Mostovicz, E. Issac; Kakabadse, Nada K.; Kakabadse, Andrew P.
    Purpose - This paper aims to offer a dynamic theory of leadership development. Design/methodology/approach - The paper examines selected leadership literature through the lens of theory building-blocks. It identifies the role of the ideal goal in leadership and its importance in developing the psychological aspect of leadership. Findings - The paper posits that leadership is a developmental process, which is based on the type of choice a leader makes. While choice implies that two good options are always available from which to select, one should make choices in accordance with the leader's worldview, looking for affiliation (i.e. the Theta worldview), or looking for achievement (i.e. the Lambda worldview). Consequently, leaders need to recognise that the choices they make for organisational activities have to fit their own worldview. Pursuing the fit between one's worldview and planned organisational activities ensures that leaders continuously improve their ethical behaviour. The paper concludes with the presentation of a dynamic theory of leadership, which is based on the assumption that one can only strive toward truly ethical leadership with the knowledge that this goal is beyond human capacity. Research limitations/implications - Being a theory-based exploration, the paper does not provide empirical examples of how this theory might be applied in practice. Originality/value - The paper provides an example of a dynamic theory, introduces the concept of Theta and Lambda worldviews
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    ItemOpen Access
    Self- or rule-based governance: Analysis of choice-making behaviour
    (Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2010-08-31T00:00:00Z) Mostovicz, E. Issac; Kakabadse, Nada K.; Kakabadse, Andrew P.
    Purpose - This study seeks to propose self-governance in organisations based on choice-making behaviour. Design/methodology/approach - The paper examines selected literature on the behaviour of choice, moving from the individual as the unit of analysis to the organisation, in order to draw lessons for proper governance. To do so, it refers to a series of three independent studies, namely, of luxury, leadership and the role of luxury in helping to cope with organisational pressure. Findings - The paper reviews the need for choice (or human logic), exemplified by the Theta and Lambda worldviews, and the difficulties in its proper implementation. A study into luxury reveals the role of luxury in choice-making behaviour and the language used for making these choices. These findings are applied to a study into leadership and followed by a third and ongoing study that provides empirical evidence that tension in organisations results, in numerous cases, from an imposed lack of choice because of improper governance. The paper concludes with recommendations for organisational governance. Research limitations/implications - The claim that conflicts in organisations are based on differences between Theta and Lambda worldviews is based on some empirical evidence only. Criticising governance by rules, the paper does not look in detail into the reasons behind the drive for such a way of governance or how to help change an organisation's governance approach. Originality/value - The paper introduces the concept of Theta and Lambda worldviews, provides a psychological definition of what luxury is and its importance to organisational life and questions the usefulness of enhanced governance.