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An Evolutionary Justification of the Emergence of Leadership Using Mathematical Models

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Solow

    (Department of Operations, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA)

  • Joseph Szmerekovsky

    (Department of Management, Marketing and Finance, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA)

  • Sukumarakurup Krishnakumar

    (Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, CA 91711, USA)

Abstract

The value and importance of leadership is evident by its prevalence throughout human societies and organizations. Based on an evolutionary argument, models are presented here that provide a mathematical justification as to how and why leadership arose in the first place and then persisted. In this setting, by a leader is meant a person whose overall actions are ultimately responsible for the well-being and survival of the group. The proposed models contain parameters whose values reflect group size, harshness of the environment, diversity of actions taken by individuals, and the amount of group cohesion. Mathematical analysis and computer simulations are used to identify conditions on these parameters under which leadership results in an increased survival probability for the community.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Solow & Joseph Szmerekovsky & Sukumarakurup Krishnakumar, 2021. "An Evolutionary Justification of the Emergence of Leadership Using Mathematical Models," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(18), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:9:y:2021:i:18:p:2271-:d:636335
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alan I. Murray, 1989. "Top management group heterogeneity and firm performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 10(S1), pages 125-141, June.
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