<
Vol. 1 No. 4 (2024): Management Innovation and Sustainability: Local Challenges, Global Insights
Empirical articles

Flexible Leadership: Bridging Gender Dynamics and Enhancing Enterprise Performance

Wenyan Luo
CEIBA Business School
Bio

Published 2025-01-17

How to Cite

Flexible Leadership: Bridging Gender Dynamics and Enhancing Enterprise Performance. (2025). Management Research Quarterly, 1(4). https://doi.org/10.63029/hd0n4v76

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of flexible leadership on enterprise performance. It aims to examine the moderating roles of gender, enterprise size, and power distance, contributing to leadership theory and practice in non-Western contexts. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative data from 218 structured questionnaires with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test hypotheses related to flexible leadership, organizational performance, and contextual moderators. The results confirm that flexible leadership positively influences both organizational and employee performance. Gender moderates this relationship, with female entrepreneurs leveraging flexible leadership to achieve higher performance outcomes despite systemic barriers. Enterprise size and power distance significantly influence the effectiveness of flexible leadership, highlighting the need for context-sensitive strategies.

References

  1. Acker, J. (1990). Hierarchies, jobs, bodies: A theory of gendered organizations. Gender & Society, 4(2), 139–158. https://doi.org/10.1177/089124390004002002
  2. Appold, S. J. (1990). The control of high technology firms: The effect of organizational characteristics on the adoption of new technology. Technology in Society, 12(1), 19–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-791X(90)90029-S
  3. Arhin, E. P., & Cobblah, C. (2024). Total quality management implementation practices and customer satisfaction: The mediating role of innovative employee behavior and moderating role of employee empowerment. Management Research Quarterly, 1(1), 36–61. https://doi.org/10.63029/cxn5xa68
  4. Astin, H. S., & Leland, C. (1990). Women of influence, women of vision: A cross-generational study of leaders and social change. Jossey-Bass.
  5. Avolio, B. J., Bass, B. M., & Dong, I. J. (1999). Re-examining the components of transformational and transactional leadership using multifactor leadership. Journal of Occupational & Organizational Psychology, 72(4), 441–462. https://doi.org/10.1348/096317999166789
  6. Babin, B. J., & Boles, J. S. (1996). The effects of perceived co-worker involvement and supervisor support on service provider role stress, performance, and job satisfaction. Journal of Retailing, 72(1), 57–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4359(96)90005-6
  7. Baio, M. T., Amuzu, J., & Sabbah, M. (2024). Dysfunctional follower behavior and organizational performance in state-owned organizations: The moderating role of specific leadership behavior. Management Research Quarterly, 1(2), 34–53. https://doi.org/10.63029/k7m8sj35
  8. Bass, B. M. (1990). From transactional to transformational leadership: Learning to share the vision. Organizational Dynamics, 18(3), 19–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/0090-2616(90)90061-S
  9. Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1994). Improving organizational effectiveness through transformational leadership. Sage Publications.
  10. Bass, B. M., Avolio, B. J., & Atwater, L. (1996). The transformational and transactional leadership of men and women. Applied Psychology, 45(1), 5–34. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.1996.tb00847.x
  11. Baum, J. R., & Locke, E. A. (2004). The relationship of entrepreneurial traits, skill, and motivation to subsequent venture growth. Journal of Applied Psychology, 89(4), 587–598. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.89.4.587
  12. Bem, S. L., & Lewis, S. A. (1975). Sex role adaptability: One consequence of psychological androgyny. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 31, 634–638. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0077098
  13. Berdahl, J. L. (1996). Gender and leadership in work groups: Six alternative models. Leadership Quarterly, 7(1), 21–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1048-9843(96)90033-8
  14. Blake, R. R., Mouton, J. S., & Sloma, R. L. (1968). A second breakthrough in organization development. California Management Review, 11(2), 73–78. https://doi.org/10.2307/41164162
  15. Bonet, D., & Lissillour, R. (2023). Regards croisés sur la digitalisation, le développement durable et la gestion des ressources humaines dans la supply chain. Revue Française de Gestion Industrielle, 37(1), 3–6. https://doi.org/10.53102/2023.37.01.1178
  16. Bowles, H. R., Babcock, L., & Lai, L. (2007). Social incentives for gender differences in the propensity to initiate negotiations: Sometimes it does hurt to ask. Organizational Behavior & Human Decision Processes, 103(1), 84–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2006.09.001
  17. Bradford, D. L., & Cohen, A. R. (1998). Power up: Transforming organizations through shared leadership. Wiley.
  18. Brown, M. E., Treviño, L. K., & Harrison, D. A. (2005). Ethical leadership: A social learning theory perspective for construct development. Organizational Behavior & Human Decision Processes, 97(2), 117–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2005.03.002
  19. Bullough, A., Kroeck, K. G., & Newburry, W. (2012). Women’s political leadership participation around the world: An institutional analysis. Leadership Quarterly, 23(3), 398–411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2011.09.010
  20. Burke, S., & Collins, K. M. (2001). Gender differences in leadership styles and management skills. Women in Management Review, 16(5), 244–257. https://doi.org/10.1108/09649420110395728
  21. Campbell, R. N., & Fiedler, F. E. (1964). A theory of leadership effectiveness. Administrative Science Quarterly, 13(2), 344. https://doi.org/10.2307/2391461
  22. Cann, A., & Siegfried, W. D. (1990). Gender stereotypes and dimensions of effective leader behavior. Sex Roles, 23(7–8), 413–419. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00289229
  23. Cawley, B. D., Keeping, L. M., & Levy, P. E. (1998). Participation in the performance appraisal process and employee reactions: A meta-analytic review of field investigations. Journal of Applied Psychology, 83(4), 615–633. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.83.4.615
  24. Chang, H. C., & Holt, G. R. (1996). An exploration of interpersonal relationships in two Taiwanese computer firms. Human Relations, 49(12), 1489–1517. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872679604901202
  25. Chapuis, V., & Guégan, D. (2024). Empowering the exercise of responsibility in the design, implementation and use of AI-based systems. Management Research Quarterly, 1(3), 23–32. https://doi.org/10.63029/jrgvn456
  26. Chen, J. C., Silverthorne, C., & Hung, J. Y. (2006). Organization communication, job stress, organizational commitment, and job performance of accounting professionals in Taiwan and America. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 27(4), 242–259. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437730610666000
  27. Churchill, N. C., & Lewis, V. L. (1983). The five stages of small business growth. Harvard Business Review, 61(3), 30–50.
  28. Clawson, J. G., & Haskins, M. E. (1996). Teaching management: A field guide for professors, consultants, and corporate trainers. Cambridge University Press.
  29. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
  30. Day, D. V., & Antonakis, J. (2012). The nature of leadership (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
  31. Drucker, P. F. (1999). Management challenges for the 21st century. HarperBusiness.
  32. Eagly, A. H., Johannesen-Schmidt, M. C., & van Engen, M. L. (2003). Transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership styles: A meta-analysis comparing women and men. Psychological Bulletin, 129(4), 569–591. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.129.4.569
  33. Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building theories from case study research. Academy of Management Review, 14(4), 532–550. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1989.4308385
  34. Fiedler, F. E. (1967). A theory of leadership effectiveness. McGraw-Hill.
  35. Goleman, D. (2000). Leadership that gets results. Harvard Business Review, 78(2), 78–90.
  36. Heifetz, R. A., & Laurie, D. L. (1997). The work of leadership. Harvard Business Review, 75(1), 124–134.
  37. House, R. J. (1971). A path-goal theory of leader effectiveness. Administrative Science Quarterly, 16(3), 321–39. https://doi.org/10.2307/2391905
  38. Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2007). The leadership challenge: How to make extraordinary things happen in organizations (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
  39. Lewin, K. (1947). Frontiers in group dynamics: Concept, method and reality in social science; social equilibria and social change. Human Relations, 1(1), 5–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872674700100103
  40. Likert, R. (1961). New patterns of management. McGraw-Hill.
  41. Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–96. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346
  42. McGregor, D. (1960). The human side of enterprise. McGraw-Hill.
  43. Mintzberg, H. (1973). The nature of managerial work. Harper & Row.
  44. Schein, E. H. (1985). Organizational culture and leadership. Jossey-Bass.
  45. Tannenbaum, R., & Schmidt, W. H. (1958). How to choose a leadership pattern. Harvard Business Review, 36(2), 95–101.