The abstract of the paper highlights its purpose, design and methodological approach, findings, research limitations and its implications and, lastly, originality. These are important requirements in understanding and summarising the study, which brings out the effectiveness of the abstract. In general, there are various leadership qualities that have to be displayed by leaders within organisations to ensure that they develop an environment that permits innovative behaviour. These characteristics are developed by the study, which also highlights their implications on innovation in businesses and areas that have to be researched further.
Introduction
This paper will seek to critically analyse the article by de Jong and Hartog with the aim of understanding its contribution to the study area, the strengths and cons of the methodological approach used by the authors and in general the effectiveness of the research article to adding to information and propagating research in the study area.
The Domain
The purpose of the article is to provide an inventory of leaders behaviours that can enhance employees innovative behaviours. It is apparent from the stated purpose of the research that it centres on innovative behaviour, which implies that it touches on issues related to organisational behaviour, development and even management. A review of the designs and the methodological approach as illustrated in the articles abstract shows that leadership and, thus, organisational behaviours is centred on in the research. It is therefore evident that the main domain of the article is on organisational behaviour.
The Problem
The main problem being addressed by the study is how organisations can ensure that they develop the environment supportive of innovation. Innovation is a key issue within the research that is addressed by exploring mechanisms, through which leaders can ensure that they adopt behaviour that are permissive of its manifestations within organisations. It is noteworthy that the innovation within organisations is the process of coming up with new ideas and products that favour making the production process easier by either reducing the complexities or resources that are required to complete tasks within organisations. The article looks at the important role played by the internal environment and, more specifically, leadership characteristics within an organisation in ensuring that the resulting environment supports innovation.
The Objectives
The article does not highlight the research questions and hypothesis used in the study, though it is apparent that the research is guided by an objective that is derived from the purpose. In fact, the purposes is stated in a manner that is akin to objectives, which implies that the main objective of the study is to develop an inventory of leadership behaviours that may positively influence the development of the internal organisational environment that is supportive of innovation.
Literature Review
An extensive literature review is used in developing the introductory and background content of the article. Articles produced in 1970s to 2003 were used in developing the background of the research and a clear rationale for the study. The main focus of the extensive literature review is to develop not only a background of the study but also the understanding of the need for the study. The article states that, though most studies have tackled the role of leaders in stimulating creativity within organisations, their role in employees implementation of innovation has basically been left unaddressed. It is apparent from this assertion that the paper is developed with the aim of filling this gap in literature. Another aspect that brings out the role of the extensive literature review is the statement that past studies centred on theory-based leadership types without trying to develop models that could aid in determining how leaders behaviour could stimulate the innovation development within organisations. Considering the purpose of the study, it is apparent that there is a link between this gap developed from review of existing literature and the purpose of the study.
The introduction highlights the rationale of the study and its significance, which is then developed by the background review. It is worth noting that the research centres on innovation and leadership behaviour, which is extensively addressed in the two subtopics used in the background review. It is therefore apparent that the aim of the literature review in the study is to develop the rationale and significance of the study, which are critical in ensuring an appreciation of the role of the study in the practical businesses environment and in developing knowledge on the impact of leadership characteristics on innovation. By addressing the fact that no conclusion had been made by previous innovation researches, on which leadership behaviour matter the most, the study seeks the development of such conclusions, which is reflective of its role in knowledge development.
Main discussion
Critical evaluation
A critical review of the article must consider the approach to presentation and its content. The approach to presentation is effective, considering that the abstract provides a summary of the purpose, methodology used and findings. The extensive use of the literature review in highlighting gaps in previous studies and the importance and interdependence between innovation and leadership aids in ensuring that the rationale of the study is understood (Hislop 2005). In addition to highlighting the rationale and significance of the study, the extensive literature review provides an extensive platform for discussing results from the study. By referencing studies from as early as 1970s to current studies of 2005, the study illustrates extensive research. This is important in not only highlighting the areas that are in need of research but also ensuring that the article can be used for further studies and in aiding the understanding of the role of leadership and proper management in ensuring that innovation is promoted within business environments.
Though the presentation of the article is above par, there are some disadvantages that result from the use of integrated approach to reviewing the literature. It is noteworthy that the aim of the literature review is partly to develop the rationale and significance of the study. However, the rationale and significance of the study can only be derived from the literature review by a reader since the authors have not stated them explicitly. Though this approach is effective in ensuring that a reader develops a critical understanding of the content before he can determine the rationale and significance, it may reduce the readability of the article for readers that are not aware of the general structure of a journal article and for junior readers (Mumford, Scott, Gladdis Strange 2002).
A review of the contents shows that leading names in innovation, leadership and management literature have been referenced by the article. Such authors as Senge, Kotter and Porter have extensively been referenced to in the article. The exclusive use of journal articles and books is aimed at ensuring accuracy of the information contained since such sources are reviewed (Evangelista 2000). Moreover, the information contained regarding innovation and leadership can be developed from contemporary considerations on any business environment. It is worth noting that leadership in any business environment is mainly concerned with ensuring that employees are motivated and directed to attainment of organisational goals. From this consideration, leadership plays a vital role in ensuring that organisational employees are motivated and directed towards innovation, if it is one of the operational goals of an organisation (Ehigie Akpan 2004 King Anderson 2002).
A review of value generation, which is a key mission of organisation in their operations shows that it can only be developed in an environment that is permissive of innovation. It is therefore apparent that the link between leadership and innovation behaviours within organisations is clear thus the accuracy of the information contained in the review is beyond doubt. Moreover, there are cases where information is retrieved from more than one source which is depictive of extensive cross-referencing and reviewing that adds to the accuracy of the content (Shalley Gilson 2004).
Methodology
Data collection involved literature research and in-depth interviews. The in-depth interviews are highlighted as being effective for exploratory purposes, though the study design is qualitative. A review of the research background shows that the rationale of the study is due to failure of the previous studies to cover the research area. The use of a data collection approach that supports exploration is therefore relevant to the nature of the study, considering that it has never been researched before (Amabile, Schatzel, Moneta Kramer 2004, Von Hippel 2005). Another aspect that brings out the relevance of the data collection approach to the study is use of an extensive literature research. Literature research is a qualitative research approach and its use in the study is aimed at developing support for findings developed from the exploratory approach. It is clear that the use of two approaches to the data collection is beyond considerations on the nature of the study, which is important in ensuring that the research area is addressed conclusively.
Respondents in the study are managers and entrepreneurs in firms intensively applying knowledge with less than one hundred employees. The choice of entrepreneurs and managers is based on their leadership roles that are emphasised in the study, whereas choosing knowledge intensive firms is aimed at ensuring that the managers are appreciative of the need for innovation and creation of knowledge. It is apparent that the choice of the population and the sample used in the study consider the research problem and are aimed at ensuring that the attributes and characteristics being looked for are easily got from the respondents. This is a form of purposive sampling that is effective in ensuring that the attributes being looked for are easily got from the population minimises the external validity of the results, since not all firms in the practical environment are knowledge intensive.
Though there are various measures included in the research aimed at improving accuracy of response, carrying out the interview for an average time of 90 minutes is evidently not one of them. A one-and-a-half-hour interview can be tiring, which may reduce the accuracy of the responses retrieved from the respondents. This is one of the few undoing of the study. Another important methodological consideration is the use of the taxonomy of managerial practice that develops behavioural constructs derived from empirical research and experts judgement (Yukl 2002). Though the use of such tools aids construction of the leadership characteristic model, which is a key goal of the research, it uses expert judgement, which may be prone to bias irrespective of the experiences and skills that they portray. This is another disadvantage of the adopted methodology.
Validity
Though there are a few flaws associated with the methodology, it has been developed with emphasis on the nature of the research problem and ensures that the specific methodological approaches are derived and supported by the adopted research design. These are factors that are central to the validity of the methodology which has in some instances been supported by previous studies. Moreover, the considerations in adopting the specific research approaches have been well supported which is important in ensuring accuracy and therefore validity of the results. The results and development of arguments resulting into the 13 constructs have also been displayed with the aid of tables which adds to the validity of the adopted methodology.
Discussion of Findings
Statement of Contribution
The discussion concisely and clearly relays the implications that the findings from the study have on the field. The authors highlight the importance of paying attention to employees ability to innovate in developing an environment that is suitable for innovation, while relaying differences with previous studies. By highlighting issues such as consulting, delegating and monitoring behaviour among other constructs developed in the model, the study reveals how differences in leaders behaviour can affect the levels of innovations within an organisation. It is apparent that the study is important in ensuring that leaders understand characteristics that they should display in ensuring that they help fosters an environment that supports innovation.
Positionality
The assertion by the study that there are finite characteristics that define the impact of leadership on the innovation behaviour has both pros and cons. While leaders can easily gauge the characteristics that they display against the required constructs, it is apparent that the list has not been proved exhaustive and comparison may be prone to bias since the constructs do not have an indicative scale. The constructs are qualitative, which reduces their usability in assessing leaders though they are important in highlighting requirements in ensuring that leaders play a role in developing environments that support innovation.
Limitations
Another important issue that is central to the relevance of the study to the discipline is that it explicitly states the limitation associated with using a qualitative research design and the need for a quantitative approach in the same study area. This is important in ensuring that varied dimensions are adopted in analysing innovations and how it is impacted on by internal organisational systems specifically leadership.
The article provides an extensive review of innovation and leadership. There is evidence of extensive research and a thorough understanding of the mechanism involved in qualitative research. Though there are a number of limitations resulting from the adopted approach to limitations and methodological directions, the study is effective for it meets its goals within a clearly outlined framework. Its significance to practice and to the existing researches also adds to its relevance.
Introduction
This paper will seek to critically analyse the article by de Jong and Hartog with the aim of understanding its contribution to the study area, the strengths and cons of the methodological approach used by the authors and in general the effectiveness of the research article to adding to information and propagating research in the study area.
The Domain
The purpose of the article is to provide an inventory of leaders behaviours that can enhance employees innovative behaviours. It is apparent from the stated purpose of the research that it centres on innovative behaviour, which implies that it touches on issues related to organisational behaviour, development and even management. A review of the designs and the methodological approach as illustrated in the articles abstract shows that leadership and, thus, organisational behaviours is centred on in the research. It is therefore evident that the main domain of the article is on organisational behaviour.
The Problem
The main problem being addressed by the study is how organisations can ensure that they develop the environment supportive of innovation. Innovation is a key issue within the research that is addressed by exploring mechanisms, through which leaders can ensure that they adopt behaviour that are permissive of its manifestations within organisations. It is noteworthy that the innovation within organisations is the process of coming up with new ideas and products that favour making the production process easier by either reducing the complexities or resources that are required to complete tasks within organisations. The article looks at the important role played by the internal environment and, more specifically, leadership characteristics within an organisation in ensuring that the resulting environment supports innovation.
The Objectives
The article does not highlight the research questions and hypothesis used in the study, though it is apparent that the research is guided by an objective that is derived from the purpose. In fact, the purposes is stated in a manner that is akin to objectives, which implies that the main objective of the study is to develop an inventory of leadership behaviours that may positively influence the development of the internal organisational environment that is supportive of innovation.
Literature Review
An extensive literature review is used in developing the introductory and background content of the article. Articles produced in 1970s to 2003 were used in developing the background of the research and a clear rationale for the study. The main focus of the extensive literature review is to develop not only a background of the study but also the understanding of the need for the study. The article states that, though most studies have tackled the role of leaders in stimulating creativity within organisations, their role in employees implementation of innovation has basically been left unaddressed. It is apparent from this assertion that the paper is developed with the aim of filling this gap in literature. Another aspect that brings out the role of the extensive literature review is the statement that past studies centred on theory-based leadership types without trying to develop models that could aid in determining how leaders behaviour could stimulate the innovation development within organisations. Considering the purpose of the study, it is apparent that there is a link between this gap developed from review of existing literature and the purpose of the study.
The introduction highlights the rationale of the study and its significance, which is then developed by the background review. It is worth noting that the research centres on innovation and leadership behaviour, which is extensively addressed in the two subtopics used in the background review. It is therefore apparent that the aim of the literature review in the study is to develop the rationale and significance of the study, which are critical in ensuring an appreciation of the role of the study in the practical businesses environment and in developing knowledge on the impact of leadership characteristics on innovation. By addressing the fact that no conclusion had been made by previous innovation researches, on which leadership behaviour matter the most, the study seeks the development of such conclusions, which is reflective of its role in knowledge development.
Main discussion
Critical evaluation
A critical review of the article must consider the approach to presentation and its content. The approach to presentation is effective, considering that the abstract provides a summary of the purpose, methodology used and findings. The extensive use of the literature review in highlighting gaps in previous studies and the importance and interdependence between innovation and leadership aids in ensuring that the rationale of the study is understood (Hislop 2005). In addition to highlighting the rationale and significance of the study, the extensive literature review provides an extensive platform for discussing results from the study. By referencing studies from as early as 1970s to current studies of 2005, the study illustrates extensive research. This is important in not only highlighting the areas that are in need of research but also ensuring that the article can be used for further studies and in aiding the understanding of the role of leadership and proper management in ensuring that innovation is promoted within business environments.
Though the presentation of the article is above par, there are some disadvantages that result from the use of integrated approach to reviewing the literature. It is noteworthy that the aim of the literature review is partly to develop the rationale and significance of the study. However, the rationale and significance of the study can only be derived from the literature review by a reader since the authors have not stated them explicitly. Though this approach is effective in ensuring that a reader develops a critical understanding of the content before he can determine the rationale and significance, it may reduce the readability of the article for readers that are not aware of the general structure of a journal article and for junior readers (Mumford, Scott, Gladdis Strange 2002).
A review of the contents shows that leading names in innovation, leadership and management literature have been referenced by the article. Such authors as Senge, Kotter and Porter have extensively been referenced to in the article. The exclusive use of journal articles and books is aimed at ensuring accuracy of the information contained since such sources are reviewed (Evangelista 2000). Moreover, the information contained regarding innovation and leadership can be developed from contemporary considerations on any business environment. It is worth noting that leadership in any business environment is mainly concerned with ensuring that employees are motivated and directed to attainment of organisational goals. From this consideration, leadership plays a vital role in ensuring that organisational employees are motivated and directed towards innovation, if it is one of the operational goals of an organisation (Ehigie Akpan 2004 King Anderson 2002).
A review of value generation, which is a key mission of organisation in their operations shows that it can only be developed in an environment that is permissive of innovation. It is therefore apparent that the link between leadership and innovation behaviours within organisations is clear thus the accuracy of the information contained in the review is beyond doubt. Moreover, there are cases where information is retrieved from more than one source which is depictive of extensive cross-referencing and reviewing that adds to the accuracy of the content (Shalley Gilson 2004).
Methodology
Data collection involved literature research and in-depth interviews. The in-depth interviews are highlighted as being effective for exploratory purposes, though the study design is qualitative. A review of the research background shows that the rationale of the study is due to failure of the previous studies to cover the research area. The use of a data collection approach that supports exploration is therefore relevant to the nature of the study, considering that it has never been researched before (Amabile, Schatzel, Moneta Kramer 2004, Von Hippel 2005). Another aspect that brings out the relevance of the data collection approach to the study is use of an extensive literature research. Literature research is a qualitative research approach and its use in the study is aimed at developing support for findings developed from the exploratory approach. It is clear that the use of two approaches to the data collection is beyond considerations on the nature of the study, which is important in ensuring that the research area is addressed conclusively.
Respondents in the study are managers and entrepreneurs in firms intensively applying knowledge with less than one hundred employees. The choice of entrepreneurs and managers is based on their leadership roles that are emphasised in the study, whereas choosing knowledge intensive firms is aimed at ensuring that the managers are appreciative of the need for innovation and creation of knowledge. It is apparent that the choice of the population and the sample used in the study consider the research problem and are aimed at ensuring that the attributes and characteristics being looked for are easily got from the respondents. This is a form of purposive sampling that is effective in ensuring that the attributes being looked for are easily got from the population minimises the external validity of the results, since not all firms in the practical environment are knowledge intensive.
Though there are various measures included in the research aimed at improving accuracy of response, carrying out the interview for an average time of 90 minutes is evidently not one of them. A one-and-a-half-hour interview can be tiring, which may reduce the accuracy of the responses retrieved from the respondents. This is one of the few undoing of the study. Another important methodological consideration is the use of the taxonomy of managerial practice that develops behavioural constructs derived from empirical research and experts judgement (Yukl 2002). Though the use of such tools aids construction of the leadership characteristic model, which is a key goal of the research, it uses expert judgement, which may be prone to bias irrespective of the experiences and skills that they portray. This is another disadvantage of the adopted methodology.
Validity
Though there are a few flaws associated with the methodology, it has been developed with emphasis on the nature of the research problem and ensures that the specific methodological approaches are derived and supported by the adopted research design. These are factors that are central to the validity of the methodology which has in some instances been supported by previous studies. Moreover, the considerations in adopting the specific research approaches have been well supported which is important in ensuring accuracy and therefore validity of the results. The results and development of arguments resulting into the 13 constructs have also been displayed with the aid of tables which adds to the validity of the adopted methodology.
Discussion of Findings
Statement of Contribution
The discussion concisely and clearly relays the implications that the findings from the study have on the field. The authors highlight the importance of paying attention to employees ability to innovate in developing an environment that is suitable for innovation, while relaying differences with previous studies. By highlighting issues such as consulting, delegating and monitoring behaviour among other constructs developed in the model, the study reveals how differences in leaders behaviour can affect the levels of innovations within an organisation. It is apparent that the study is important in ensuring that leaders understand characteristics that they should display in ensuring that they help fosters an environment that supports innovation.
Positionality
The assertion by the study that there are finite characteristics that define the impact of leadership on the innovation behaviour has both pros and cons. While leaders can easily gauge the characteristics that they display against the required constructs, it is apparent that the list has not been proved exhaustive and comparison may be prone to bias since the constructs do not have an indicative scale. The constructs are qualitative, which reduces their usability in assessing leaders though they are important in highlighting requirements in ensuring that leaders play a role in developing environments that support innovation.
Limitations
Another important issue that is central to the relevance of the study to the discipline is that it explicitly states the limitation associated with using a qualitative research design and the need for a quantitative approach in the same study area. This is important in ensuring that varied dimensions are adopted in analysing innovations and how it is impacted on by internal organisational systems specifically leadership.
The article provides an extensive review of innovation and leadership. There is evidence of extensive research and a thorough understanding of the mechanism involved in qualitative research. Though there are a number of limitations resulting from the adopted approach to limitations and methodological directions, the study is effective for it meets its goals within a clearly outlined framework. Its significance to practice and to the existing researches also adds to its relevance.
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