Leadership development outcomes research and the need for a time-sensitive approach

Joseph-Richard, Paul; Edwards, Gareth; Hazlett, Shirley-Ann

Abstract

Many leadership development studies consider developing leadership as a dynamic process that takes time. However, few evaluative inquiries examine the effects of time on leadership development outcomes. As the concept of time has begun to receive the attention it deserves in leadership research, we present a case for including temporal dimensions in leadership development outcomes research. We review conceptual evaluation frameworks and published empirical evaluations in order to highlight the fact that scholars have paid scant attention to time-related considerations in programme evaluation. By using a goal-free evaluation of healthcare leadership development programme as a case example, we illustrate six types of outcomes such as a symbol, rejuvenation, discovery, change, engagement and transformation and reveal their different temporal dimensions. Based on the findings, we argue that, for evaluations to be rigorous and more meaningful to key stakeholders, adopting a time-sensitive approach may be critical.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 22, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Sep 8, 2020
• Publication Date: 2021
• Deposit Date: Oct 8, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 9, 2022
• Journal: Human Resource Development International
• Print ISSN: 1367-8868
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-8374
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 173-199
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2020.1815155
• Keywords: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6667036
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=rhrd20; Received: 2020-02-23; Accepted: 2020-08-22; Published: 2020-09-08