Exploring the gap between pseudo-knowledge and evidence-based findings on leadership in a local manufacturing organization : implications for improving leadership development

Abstract

Leadership is considered one of the most important factors for an organisation’s prosperity. Organisations encounter several internal and external factors that may impinge on the organisation’s leadership and its development. This research project aims to obtain a reasonable understanding of what is meant by leadership and the process of its development within a local manufacturing organisation. By using a qualitative methodological approach, the insights gathered from seven members of the organisation’s leadership team through a semistructured interview, together with a structured observation study which revolved around the areas of Human Resources, Industrial Relations and Strategy, helped in achieving this objective. The study reveals several factors such as: the importance of having a vision, attending to daily challenges, empowering employees, dealing with industrial relations, building relationships and other factors that may be conducive or detrimental to the organisation’s leadership and its development process. A set of recommendations and suggestions for further research concludes this study.