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is a multidisciplinary academic field of study that focuses on leadership in organizational contexts and in human life. Leadership studies has origins in the social sciences (e.g., sociology, anthropology, psychology), in humanities (e.g., history and philosophy), as well as in professional & applied fields of study (e.g., management and education). As an academic area of inquiry, the study of leadership has been of interest to scholars from a wide variety of disciplinary backgrounds. Today, there are numerous academic programs (spanning several academic colleges and department) related to the study of leadership.

Leadership in Higher Education

The study of leadership has become one of the fastest growing academic fields in higher education [1][2] [3] [4] [5] [6] At all levels, undergraduate through doctoral, a growing number of colleges and universities have begun developing not only individual courses, but entire degree programs specifically devoted to the study of leadership.[7]

Even among some of our nations more established and traditional academic disciplines such as engineering, education, and medicine, specialization and concentration areas have been developed around the study of leadership. Most of these academic programs have been designed to be multidisciplinary in nature—drawing upon theories and applications from related fields such as sociology, psychology, philosophy, and management. Such an approach, Rost (1991) has argued “allows scholars and practitioners to think radically new thoughts about leadership that are not possible from a unidisciplinary approach” (p. 2).

History of Leadership as a Field of Study

The study of leadership can be dated back to [1], Sun Tzu and Machiavelli; however, leadership has only become the focus of contemporary academic studies in the last 60 years, and particularly more so in the last two decades. Contemporary leadership scholars and researchers have often been questioned about the nature of their work, and its place in the academy, but much of the confusion surrounding leadership as a field of study may be attributed to a lack of understanding regarding inter- and multi- disciplinary academic fields in general.

The discipline (which encompasses a host of sub-fields) is filled with definitions, theories, styles, functions, competencies, and historical examples of successful and diverse leaders. Collectively, the research findings on leadership provide a far more sophisticated and complex view of the phenomenon than most of the simplistic views presented in the popular press.

Some of the earliest studies on leadership include:

  • The Ohio State Leadership Studies, which began in the 1940s, focused on how leaders could satisfy common group needs. The studies findings indicated that the two most important dimensions in leadership included: "initiating structure," and "consideration." These characteristics, the studies found, could be either high or low and were independent of one another. The research was based on questionnaires to leaders and subordinates. These questionnaires are known as the Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LDBQ) and the Supervisor Behavior Description Questionnaire (SDBQ). [8] By 1962, the LDBQ was on version XII.
  • The Michigan Leadership Studies, which began in the 1950s (Katz, et al, 1950), indicated that leaders could be classified as either "employee centered," or "job centered." These studies identified three critical characteristics of effective leaders: task oriented behavior, relationship-oriented behavior, and participative leadership.
  • McGregors Theory X & Theory Y were developed by Douglas McGregor in the 1960s at MIT Sloan School of Management. These theories described employee motivation in the workforce. Both theories begin with the premise that the role of management is to assemble the factors of production, including people, for the economic benefit of the firm. Beyond this point, the two theories of management diverge. The Human Side of Enterprise Douglass McGregor
  • Blake & McCanse Leadership Grid developed the orientation of task orientation and people orientation in leader behavior. They developed the leadership grid which focused on concern for results (on one axis) and concern for people (on the other axis).

In addition to these studies, from an academic perspective leadership has been studied from several theoretical lenses:

  • Functional Leadership theory: Suggests that a leader’s primary responsibility is to see that whatever is necessary in relation to group needs is taken care of.
  • Self Leadership theory: Although behaviorally oriented, the essence of self leadership theory is that behaviors are directed toward the attainment of super-ordinate goals.

The first doctoral program in Leadership Studies was established at the University if San Diego in the School of Leadership and Eduction Sciences in 1979.[9] The first undergraduate school of Leadership Studies was established at the University of Richmond (The Jepson School) [10]

Notable Leadership Scholars

Academic Journals

  • Journal of Leadership Studies: The mission of the Journal of Leadership Studies is to publish leadership research and theoretical contributions that bridge the gap between scholarship and practice and that exemplify critical inquiry into contemporary organizational issues and paradigms. The journal promotes interdisciplinary and interorganizational theory, fostering dialogue that transcends industry specific contexts and that explores leadership's role in improving organizational practices and human life. Published material in the journal will include research-based and theoretical papers that explicitly address leadership on various social, cultural, and organizational contexts.
  • The Leadership Quarterly: Is an international journal of political, social and behavioral science published in affiliation with the International Leadership Association (ILA).
  • The Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies: The Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies is the Official Journal of the Midwest Academy of Management. The Journal publishes articles to advance the theory, research and practice of all aspects of leadership and organizations. Research results are preferred, but theoretical contributions and new applications are also appropriate. Although leadership topics are emphasized, any area of interest in organizational behavior, human resource management, strategy, international management, or entrepreneurship is also encouraged.
  • The International Journal of Leadership Studies: Representing the multidisciplinary field of leadership, the IJLS publishes theoretically grounded research that enhances knowledge and understanding of the phenomenon of leadership at all levels within a variety of industries and organizations and seeks contributions that present leadership from different perspectives unique to different cultures, settings, and religions around the world.
  • Leadership: Leadership is an international, peer-reviewed journal designed to provide an ongoing forum for academic researchers to exchange information, insights and knowledge based on both theoretical development and empirical research on leadership. It will publish original, high quality articles that contribute to the advancement of the study of leadership. The journal will be global in orientation and focus.

Associations and Organizations

Research Centers

Academic Programs

The following is a list of doctoral, masters, and undergraduate programs related to the study of leadership. This list does not include programs related to specific sub-areas of leadership (e.g., educational leadership, health care leadership, environmental leadership).

  1. ^ Brungardt, C. L. (1996). The making of leaders: A review of the research in leadership development and education. The Journal of Leadership Studies, 3(3), 81-95.
  2. ^ Brungardt, C. L., Gould, L. V., Moore, R., & Potts, J. (1997). The emergence of leadership studies: Linking the traditional outcomes of liberal education with leadership development, The Journal of Leadership Studies, 4(3), 53-67.
  3. ^ Rost, J.C. (1991). Leadership for the twenty-first century. New York: Praeger.
  4. ^ Rost, J. C. & Baker, R. A. (2000). Leadership education in colleges: Toward as 21st century paradigm. The Journal of Leadership Studies, 7(1), 3-12.
  5. ^ Doh, J. P (2003). Can leadership be taught? Perspectives from management educators. Academy of Management Learning and Education, 2(1), 54-67.
  6. ^ Daloz Parks, S. (2005). Leadership can be taught: A bold approach for a complex world. Cambridge: Harvard Business School Press.
  7. ^ http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/business/leadership-major.htm
  8. ^ http://fisher.osu.edu/offices/fiscal/lbdq
  9. ^ http://www.sandiego.edu/soles/about/history_and_facts.php
  10. ^ http://admissions.richmond.edu/majors/leadership/index.html
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