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Explaining the Occurrence of Charismatic Leadership in Organizations

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  • Richard J. Ellis

Abstract

Charisma is commonly regarded as disruptive and unpredictable. Its origins are treated as mysterious and unexplainable. This view of charisma is due in part to a tendency to reify charisma, but more importantly to the lack of an adequate theory of social organization. After clearing up some methodological confusions surrounding the concept of charisma, I present a theory that predicts the type of organization, and the type of organizational situation, in which charismatic leadership will occur. By joining Mary Douglas's grid-group analysis with Herbert Simon's decision theory, I show that charismatic leadership, far from being a disruptive force, serves an integrative function in egalitarian organizations hampered by disagreement on facts and values.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard J. Ellis, 1991. "Explaining the Occurrence of Charismatic Leadership in Organizations," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 3(3), pages 305-319, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jothpo:v:3:y:1991:i:3:p:305-319
    DOI: 10.1177/0951692891003003004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Simon, Herbert A., 1985. "Human Nature in Politics: The Dialogue of Psychology with Political Science," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 79(2), pages 293-304, June.
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