DefinePK

Research Objective

To explore the personal and organizational antecedents of Authentic Leadership (AL) in Pakistani business schools.

Methodology

Qualitative research design utilizing semi-structured interviews with Deans, Directors, and Heads of Departments from Pakistani business schools. Participants were selected based on their role, experience (over 10 years in leadership), and the accreditation category of their business school (W or X category from the NBEAC list). Data was collected from 16 participants across 16 business schools.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Identify Research Gap & Objective"] --> B["Select Qualitative Methodology"];
    C["Develop Semi-structured Interview Protocol"] --> D["Identify & Recruit Participants"];
    E["Conduct Semi-structured Interviews"] --> F["Transcribe & Analyze Interview Data"];
    G["Identify Personal & Organizational Antecedents"] --> H["Interpret Findings within Pakistani Context"];
    I["Formulate Conclusions & Recommendations"]                    

Discussion

The study argues that Authentic Leadership is shaped by a combination of individual traits and organizational factors. Personal antecedents like dispositional authenticity, moral awareness, introspection, and open awareness are crucial. Organizational factors such as work alignment with values, a positive and trusting environment, and clear ethical guidelines also foster authentic leadership. The findings suggest that while AL has universal principles, its expression is context-dependent, particularly influenced by cultural factors like collectivism and high power distance in Pakistan.

Key Findings

Personal antecedents of Authentic Leadership identified include Leader Authentic Personality, Ethical Sensibility, Self-Reflective Capacity, and Mindfulness. Organizational antecedents include Meaningful Work, a Supportive Environment, and Organizational Policies and Procedures. The study also notes the influence of Pakistan's unique socio-cultural context on leadership practices.

Conclusion

Authentic Leadership in Pakistani business schools is influenced by a blend of personal attributes (authentic personality, ethical sensibility, self-reflection, mindfulness) and organizational elements (meaningful work, supportive environment, clear policies). The study contributes to leadership theory by identifying context-specific antecedents and offers practical strategies for fostering AL in academic institutions, emphasizing the importance of ethical decision-making, trust, and institutional success.

Fact Check

1. The study was published in Dialogue Social Science Review (DSSR), Vol. 2 No. 5 (December) (2024).
2. The research involved 16 participants from 16 business schools in Pakistan.
3. Participants were selected if they were Deans, Directors, or Heads of Departments with over 10 years of leadership experience.

Mind Map