THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL CONCEPTUALIZATION OF THE DISTRIBUTED LEADERSHIP

References: 4th International Multidisciplinary Scientific Conference on Social Sciences and Arts SGEM 2017, www.sgemsocial.org, SGEM2017 Conference Proceedings, ISBN 978-619-7408-17-1 / ISSN 2367-5659, 24 - 30 August, 2017, Book 1, Vol 5, 1101-1108 pp, DOI: 10.5593/sgemsocial2017/15/S05.138

ABSTRACT

In the face of increasing complexity, variability, and unpredictability of conditions in which modern organizations function, there is a need for new ways of conceptualizing leadership. A discussion arises, concerning the question whether leadership is focused on a single leader or distributed across a number of individuals, whether leadership is best understood as a specialized role or rather as a shared influence process, whether it is a deliberate or rather an emergent phenomenon. This article is part of this discussion. The main focus of the study was a theoretical and empirical conceptualization of the notion of distributed leadership. Based on the literature research, distributed leadership phenomenon (setting its key dimensions) was characterized in detail. The proposed distributed leadership concept has been verified empirically using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The article discusses the study carried out in 212 organizations - different due to the industry, the size, and form of ownership. Distributed leadership theoretical model has been fully confirmed empirically.

Keywords: leadership, distributed leadership, confirmatory factor analysis