Shared and transformational leadership in the police
Published online on February 04, 2015
Abstract
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, Volume 38, Issue 1, March 2015.
Purpose Although an increasingly complex work environment requires shared forms of leadership in the police, there is little empirical evidence on how to facilitate shared leadership in the police. This paper explores the role of transformational leaders in supporting shared leadership. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on an online survey in a German state police (3,000 invited participants, a 39% response rate). The empirical analysis relies on a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. Findings The study findings reveal that transformational leaders exert a direct, positive influence on shared leadership and have an indirect, positive influence through their capacity to clarify organizational goals and create job satisfaction for followers. Originality/value This large-scale study is the first to examine antecedents of shared leadership in the police. The results expand on the literature on transformational leadership by highlighting transformational leaders’ role as ‘SuperLeaders’ in supporting shared leadership.
Purpose Although an increasingly complex work environment requires shared forms of leadership in the police, there is little empirical evidence on how to facilitate shared leadership in the police. This paper explores the role of transformational leaders in supporting shared leadership. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on an online survey in a German state police (3,000 invited participants, a 39% response rate). The empirical analysis relies on a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. Findings The study findings reveal that transformational leaders exert a direct, positive influence on shared leadership and have an indirect, positive influence through their capacity to clarify organizational goals and create job satisfaction for followers. Originality/value This large-scale study is the first to examine antecedents of shared leadership in the police. The results expand on the literature on transformational leadership by highlighting transformational leaders’ role as ‘SuperLeaders’ in supporting shared leadership.