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Defining the “global” in global leadership

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  • Mendenhall, Mark E.
  • Reiche, B. Sebastian
  • Bird, Allan
  • Osland, Joyce S.

Abstract

While scholars have begun to develop the conceptual foundations of global leadership, few attempts have been made to unify the plethora of existing definitions. We argue that the lack of a precise, rigorous and commonly accepted definition of global leadership limits the field's conceptual and empirical progress. Building on recommended practice for construct definitions, we first review and critique existing definitions of global leadership. Second, we specifically focus on explicating the global construct encompassed by the global leadership phenomenon and propose three dimensions along which this sub-construct can be analyzed: complexity, flow, and presence. Finally, we offer a revised construct definition and conclude with implications for research and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Mendenhall, Mark E. & Reiche, B. Sebastian & Bird, Allan & Osland, Joyce S., 2012. "Defining the “global” in global leadership," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 47(4), pages 493-503.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:47:y:2012:i:4:p:493-503
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2012.01.003
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    8. Collings, David G. & Scullion, Hugh & Morley, Michael J., 2007. "Changing patterns of global staffing in the multinational enterprise: Challenges to the conventional expatriate assignment and emerging alternatives," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 198-213, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Farndale, Elaine & Pai, Avinash & Sparrow, Paul & Scullion, Hugh, 2014. "Balancing individual and organizational goals in global talent management: A mutual-benefits perspective," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 49(2), pages 204-214.
    2. B. Sebastian Reiche & Allan Bird & Mark E. Mendenhall & Joyce S. Osland, 2017. "Contextualizing leadership: a typology of global leadership roles," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 48(5), pages 552-572, July.
    3. Alon Lisak & Miriam Erez & Yang Sui & Cynthia Lee, 2016. "The positive role of global leaders in enhancing multicultural team innovation," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 47(6), pages 655-673, August.
    4. Bird, Allan & Mendenhall, Mark E., 2016. "From cross-cultural management to global leadership: Evolution and adaptation," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 115-126.
    5. Christof Miska & Mark E. Mendenhall, 2018. "Responsible Leadership: A Mapping of Extant Research and Future Directions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 148(1), pages 117-134, March.
    6. Crane, Bret & Hartwell, Christopher J., 2019. "Global talent management: A life cycle view of the interaction between human and social capital," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 82-92.

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