Title: A value-based leadership model grounded in history

Authors: Sümeyye Kuşakcı; Senad Busatlic

Addresses: School of Management, Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul, Turkey ' Faculty of Business and Administration, International University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract: Value-based leadership as an umbrella term including authentic, ethical, spiritual leadership, etc., that indicates leading by remaining faithful to beliefs and values. This study aims to reveal the relevance of Islamic administration tradition to modern value-based leadership studies. In line with this purpose, Kutadgu Bilig, 'the oldest monument of the Islamic Turkish literature', was qualitatively inquired. The research design was grounded theory and data was analysed by content analysis using MaxQDA software. Kutadgu Bilig describes an outstanding leader with 23 attributes classified under six categories. While the model combines traits, behaviours, and values, that third one is an indispensable condition of efficiency. Looking across centuries, this comparative analysis reveals that the model grounded in Kutadgu Bilig bears the stamp of ethical and servant leadership. However, it places a premium on the virtuousness of the ruler at the individual level and on the attributes of justice and benevolence at the administrative level.

Keywords: Kutadgu Bilig; Yusuf Khass Hajib; leadership; ethical leadership; value-based leadership; grounded theory.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBGE.2022.119351

International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, 2022 Vol.16 No.1, pp.16 - 38

Accepted: 11 Sep 2020
Published online: 01 Dec 2021 *

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