The age of network leaders: challenges to measure and develop leadership in inter-organizational networks

While some scholars argue that leadership in an inter-organizational network setting is different from that of the single organization (e.g. Mandell et al. 2017), other scholars warn that developing new leadership models and... [ view full abstract ]

While some scholars argue that leadership in an inter-organizational network setting is different from that of the single organization (e.g. Mandell et al. 2017), other scholars warn that developing new leadership models and theories for the network context should be avoided (Cullen et al. 2014). This paper discusses the main concepts and features of leadership (e.g. leaders, attributes, behaviours, …) and applies them to the network setting in order to develop the concept: network leadership. These elements are then operationalized into a network leadership measurement tool as part of a network leadership training programme. Finally, the paper discusses the way in which the network leadership measurement tool has been used so far and highlights some preliminary findings from the data.