Reluctance to lead: Conceptualization and contextualization

Aycan, Zeynep; Özbilgin, Mustafa; Moraligil, Bahar; Epitropaki, Olga

Abstract

Recent studies indicate a potential trend of waning enthusiasm for leadership positions. This increasing trend of avoiding leadership roles has prompted a new area of research, concentrating on agentic perspectives in leader emergence and self-selection biases. This study focuses on a key concept in this emerging field: “reluctance to lead" (RTL). Only recently has reluctance in the leadership context received limited attention from a few scholars. These efforts primarily concentrated on RTL before the role occupancy by defining it as individuals' hesitations to accept a leadership role when presented with the opportunity. This paper broadens the conceptualization of RTL by extending its definition as the hesitation of a high-potential individual both before and after role occupancy (i.e., individuals’ hesitations about their fit to the role while it is practiced). Prior studies also adopted a person-centered approach, focusing on identity- and competency-related factors while overlooking the contextual aspects in explaining RTL. This paper integrates contextual foci into the discussion of RTL, specifically exploring how spatial and technological, organizational, leadership, socio-cultural, and historical contexts (with a focus on Europe) interface with RTL. We conclude by proposing a research agenda and discussing the theoretical and practical implications of this new line of research.

Citation

Aycan, Z., Özbilgin, M., Moraligil, B., & Epitropaki, O. (2024). Reluctance to lead: Conceptualization and contextualization. European Management Journal, 42(4), 437-444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2024.02.005

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 20, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Mar 5, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-08
• Deposit Date: Mar 12, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 29, 2024
• Journal: European Management Journal
• Print ISSN: 0263-2373
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-5681
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 437-444
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2024.02.005
• Keywords: Strategy and Management
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2326488