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Does Gender Matter? The Relationship Comparison of Strategic Leadership on Organizational Ambidextrous Behavior between Male and Female CEOs

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  • Gang Zhang

    (Department of Leadership and Organization Management, School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)

  • Ziang Jia

    (Department of Leadership and Organization Management, School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)

  • Shimei Yan

    (Department of Leadership and Organization Management, School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the relationship difference of strategic leadership to organizational ambidextrous behavior between male and female CEOs, taking into account the balancing effect and combined effect of explorative and exploitative behaviors. A quantitative analysis is conducted from demographic data and relevant organizational ambidextrous data of male and female CEOs of listed companies from 2016 to 2020. In total, 226 valid male-female CEOs pairs are used to test whether there is a significant difference on gender between strategic leadership and organizational ambidextrous behavior. The findings revealed that female strategic leaders with an ambidextrous advantage do not behave inferior to males. This study clarifies the intrinsic relationship between female strategic leadership and organizational ambidexterity, affirming the ambidextrous synergistic effect of female executives in corporate strategic decision-making. The presentation of women in top management may contribute to a better organizational performance through balancing and combining ambidextrous activities, and this study calls on upholding the cultural values of gender diversity and inclusiveness, and to focus on merits of female leaders.

Suggested Citation

  • Gang Zhang & Ziang Jia & Shimei Yan, 2022. "Does Gender Matter? The Relationship Comparison of Strategic Leadership on Organizational Ambidextrous Behavior between Male and Female CEOs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:14:p:8559-:d:861553
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