Qualities of Informal Leaders, Factors Influencing the Formation of Informal Leadership, and the Paradox of Formal Power

Authors

Kyungchool Joe, kjoe001@fiu.eduFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Business Administration

First Advisor's Name

Karen Paul

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Mido Chang

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Angela Heavey

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Juan Sanchez

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

informal leadership, leadership, formal power, team effectiveness, organizational support for development, turnover intention, career satisfaction, work engagement, optimism, seniority

Date of Defense

7-7-2016

Abstract

Informal leaders can have similar effects on firm performance as formal leaders. Although informal leadership can play a critical role in organizational functioning, empirical research concerning this issue is scarce. I conceptualized informal leadership as a continuous variable, and tested the relationship between informal leadership and the following variables. First, this study examined how informal leaders can influence over other members, even though they do not possess formal power. Five indicators, i.e., performance, turnover intention, career satisfaction, work engagement, and optimism were selected to assess the qualities of informal leaders as role models. Second, this study advanced our understanding of how demographic factors (i.e., age, educational background, and work experience) contribute to shaping informal leadership. In addition, T-test was chosen to test whether informal leadership is more noteworthy in women than men. Lastly, this study compared the effects of informal and formal leaders on team effectiveness.

Identifier

FIDC000714

Recommended Citation

Joe, Kyungchool, "Qualities of Informal Leaders, Factors Influencing the Formation of Informal Leadership, and the Paradox of Formal Power" (2016). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2610.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2610