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Introduction

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Leadership Theory and Research

Abstract

This chapter provides a comprehensive literature review on leadership. The aim is to provide a critical insight into leadership research. This chapter discusses the varying conceptions of leadership. Scholars argue that a universally acceptable definition for leadership is practically impossible and will hinder creative ways of thinking. Some of the different ways in which leadership has been defined over the past 70 years with reference to conceptual underpinning are provided in this chapter. The distinction between leadership and management is often made in the literature. However, in the world today, a question remains unanswered which is: Is leadership now increasingly needed by all managers? This chapter examines the similarities and differences between leadership and management. The functions and activities of management and leadership are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business and Enterprise, University of the West of Scotland, Hamilton, UK

    Christian Harrison

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  1. Christian Harrison
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Correspondence to Christian Harrison .

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Harrison, C. (2018). Introduction. In: Leadership Theory and Research . Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68672-1_1

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