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Flexible Adaptation of Leader Behavior

An Experimental Analysis of the Beneficial Effect of Flexibility in Innovation Processes

Gerlach, Friederike
Rosing, Kathrin
Zacher, Hannes

Based on the model of ambidextrous leadership, we investigated the impact of flexible adaptation of leader behavior, that is, opening and closing leader behaviors, on innovative performance in a laboratory experiment. Leader behaviors were manipulated with confederates attending to one participant showing either no leadership, a sequential, or a flexible application of opening and closing leader behaviors. We hypothesized that flexible adaptation leads to better innovation performance. N = 93 participants took part and received one leadership manipulation. We did not find significant effects. These findings suggest that the effects of ambidextrous leadership might not be as strong as previously expected. Nonetheless, this study provides a manipulation of flexible leadership in a controlled setting, which is important to provide causal evidence.

Sponsor
Gefördert im Rahmen eines Open-Access-Transformationsvertrags mit dem Verlag This research was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), RO 4647/3-1
Citation
In: Journal of Personnel Psychology Jahrgang 20 / Heft 4 (2021-06-01) , S. 198-206; eissn:2190-5150
Collections
@article{doi:10.17170/kobra-202110084861,
  author    ={Gerlach, Friederike and Rosing, Kathrin and Zacher, Hannes},
  title    ={Flexible Adaptation of Leader Behavior},
  keywords ={150 and 300 and Experiment and Führungskraft and Beidhändigkeit and Flexibilität},
  copyright  ={http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/},
  language ={en},
  journal  ={Journal of Personnel Psychology},
  year   ={2021-06-01}
}