Melody Seah and Ming Huei Hsieh
This paper aims to explore the impact of leadership on organizational change and adaptability in a Chinese business context. Drawing on case data, this study seeks to uncover the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the impact of leadership on organizational change and adaptability in a Chinese business context. Drawing on case data, this study seeks to uncover the factors that would predispose the leaders of Chinese family firms to initiate and implement organizational change and adaptation.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on 16 in-depth interviews held with key informants from the case firm. Evidence is presented in the form of interview extracts.
Findings
Research findings indicate that Chinese firm leaders can successfully facilitate organizational change by adapting their styles to match the changes in the business environment.
Research limitations/implications
The issues identified are explored within a single case study setting, hence future research might replicate these findings to other samples or settings.
Practical implications
To lead organizational change, leaders must first be able and willing to adjust their leadership styles to match the demands of their changing business environments.
Originality/value
This paper adds insight to existing literature on leadership, organizational change and firm turnarounds. This paper also provides an in-depth insight into the factors that influence the leadership and management Chinese family firms.
Details
Keywords
Melody Seah, Ming-Huei Hsieh and Hsiu-Ying Huang
Earlier research has identified adaptive leadership strategies and organizational culture as two key factors that influence a firm's adaptive capabilities. However, little is…
Abstract
Purpose
Earlier research has identified adaptive leadership strategies and organizational culture as two key factors that influence a firm's adaptive capabilities. However, little is known about how leadership and organizational culture affect each other. Nor do the authors know how the combined effects of adaptive leadership and culture facilitates organizational adaptation over time. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap by using a co-evolutionary perspective to enhance the understanding of this phenomenon.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through informant interviews, observations and archival material.
Findings
Study findings reveal that leaders can enhance organizational adaptability by creating an appropriate context to guide the co-evolutionary interactions between their leadership strategies, organizational culture and employees towards the ongoing achievement of firm goals.
Originality/value
The study enhances the understanding of how leaders facilitate organizational adaptability, especially in a family business context.