Towards an integrated view of leadership in a South-East Asian context

Abstract

In times of crisis, such as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), terrorism, natural disaster, economic, organisational, or political turmoil, an integrating view of leadership would seem appropriate. Contemporary leadership theory is fragmenting; at times adopting a narrow view, while ostensibly attempting to be universalistic, though often contradictory. This paper extends the boundaries of leadership theory to contextualisation of leadership. The purpose of the paper is to explore the complex, dynamic, paradoxical, and contextual dimensions of leadership that coalesce to form the country contextual foundation, superstructure, and outcomes in South-East Asian/Pacific contexts. Researchers continue to call for greater understanding of leadership within particular contexts. However, what context is, remains a source of debate. This paper explores the multiple contextual elements contributing to leadership, rather than viewing context as a specific event, situation, or crisis, requiring the 'leader' to analyse the situation and act accordingly. Data were drawn from ongoing leadership studies in Malaysia, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, and the extant literature. Results suggest that an integrative framework of leadership contextualisation contributes to enhanced leadership effectiveness. Leaders are able to develop greater understanding and appreciation of the issues, forces, barriers, and concepts underpinning 'leaders' leadership, and the value of resulting outcomes of leadership actions. As leadership, in any context,also occurs at times other than crisis, an integrating contextual view of leadership is needed. Studies such as this are useful in extending our understanding of leadership from a nonuniversal point-of-view by offering a flexible integrated framework with takes account of national, regional, industry, organisational, and individual dimensions. Many leadership studies overlook the importance and contribution of contextualisation. This study engages that need.