How on earth should I focus on both?! A study on managers’ search activities and the influence of their leadership behavior when confronted with paradoxical demands.
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2017-07-04
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en
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Abstract
Global developments have increased the intensity of paradoxical demands managers are confronted with. Research has shown that there is diversity in the responses of managers to such demands. However, little research has examined the micro foundations regarding managers’ preferences for these responses. To find insights regarding these micro foundations, this research focused on the relationship between paradoxical situations and search behavior of managers. It incorporated leadership style as a moderating factor because leadership has shown to be an important element in organizational life. A vignette study was conducted in which managers were confronted with a paradoxical or non-paradoxical scenario to measure their response in terms of search. A finding is that managers leading with a paradoxical leadership style show longer search persistence when confronted with a paradoxical situation. The results of this research not only have theoretical implications, but are also useful for managers facing paradoxical situations. The findings together with the suggestions for future research will help to extent the body of literature about strategic preferences of managers and paradoxical leadership.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen