Why followers suport toxic leaders qualitative case study perspective Essay

Why followers suport toxic leaders qualitative case study perspective - Essay Example can this paradoxical scenario, which is has been evident in virtually every society, from the earliest records of history to the present day, be explained (Lipman-Blumen, 2005)? Susceptible followers have followed, preferred or favored, and sometimes helped create an enabling environment for toxic leadership to thrive. Followers have permitted and supported toxic leadership behavior to the point where it seems to be acceptable in both political and business organizations (Reed, 2004). The central question for investigation in this project is what are the reasons followers accept, favor, and help sustain toxic leadership? Researchers recognize that leadership effectiveness is dependent on the role of followers within the organization (McClure, 2009). However, the lack of research work on the role of followers within a company led by a toxic leader presents a significant gap in the literature which the present study aims to address. McClure (2009) acknowledges this concern about the current lack of published research or investigation into the role of followers of toxic leaders. Mccoby (2004), Challeff (1995), and Chai (2010) emphasize that researchers’ failure to investigate the role of followers and identify the motivation for follower actions are among the reasons why failures in leadership and the rise of toxic leadership still persist today. This research will undertake a qualitative methodology using content analysis to gather information as to why followers support toxic leaders. This study will fill the gap in published research on the role of followers in making organizations more effective. It will also help determine why followers support their leader, good or bad. According to Kellerman, (2008) and Lipman-Blumen, (2005), safety, security, group membership, and the unpredictable nature of the world are some of the human conditions that make followers susceptible to toxic leaders. Various followers benefit from toxic leadership behavior and

Research paper about finish line company Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

About finish line company - Research Paper Example It began in 1976 as a partnership between Cohen and Klapper for a ten-year franchise of Athlete’s Foot, an established sports footwear retailer (The Finish Line Inc.). Learning from the franchise experience, the partners opened their own line of sports footwear retail to compete with Athlete’s Foot by offering a wider variety of stocks displayed in bigger stores, as well as offering value brands and affordable lines well-suited in their store locations at less-expensive strip malls. The positioning proved effective as the next ten-years would see growth of the company by opening up more stores with bigger areas while ending the franchise with Athlete’s Foot. To support the growth, two more partners were brought in with sportswear retail experience: Larry Sablonsky and David Fagin (The Finish Line Inc.). The next 20 years saw the growth of the company by overtaking Athlete’s Foot and other competitors in the sports and active wear retail segment as well as becoming a publicly listed company whose shares continue to perform well within its segment. Finish Line’s mission according to the website is to â€Å"connect to young, fashion conscious individuals through a premium brand environment offering the best selection of authentic, sport inspired products† (1). The company offers premium brands that provide dependable quality and leading styles in active wear. Finish Line categorizes its products into footwear and softgoods. As of 2009 annual report, 81% of net sales of Finish Line Inc. came from the footwear category (Lyon and Schneider 3). They carry brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Jordan, Under Armour and New Balance along with sport style brands including Lacoste, Converse, Ed Hardy and Sperry. Softgoods category carries non-footwear products. Recent additions to the company’s line of products are offered through the Paiva store chain offering brands like Tella, McCartney, Brooks, Ellesse, etc., focusing on women