The unifying function of leadership: shaping identity, ethics and the local rules of interaction Online publication date: Sat, 30-Aug-2014
by James K. Hazy
International Journal of Society Systems Science (IJSSS), Vol. 4, No. 3, 2012
Abstract: This article develops systems theory that relates the functions of leadership to shared identity and ethics. Using complex system leadership theory wherein leadership is defined as changing the rules governing local interactions, the theory links shared identity and ethics to those local rules. Collective identity is defined as a mechanism to actualise a shared set of local rules, and an ethical system is defined to be one which enables individuals to experience autonomy in the context of those rules while exhibiting transparency with regards the benefits and risks of participation. Because leadership impacts collective identity and thus the rules of interaction, and sometimes does so opaquely, creating and maintaining such a system is an ethical challenge for leadership. Unifying leadership is defined as the organisation level function that unites the system by shaping identity while defining and enforcing the ethical framework wherein individuals make informed autonomous choices.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Society Systems Science (IJSSS):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com