Harmonising paradoxes in responsible leadership in local government in emerging markets

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this exploratory study was to learn more about the responsible leadership in emerging markets and government organisations through the lived experiences and perceptions of executives. The study covered four main areas. Firstly, it explored how responsible leadership unfolds in South African local government by understanding how executives defined and understood responsible leadership. Secondly, the study explored factors that were affecting the development and implementation of responsible leadership in South African local government. Third, the study explored the role of executives in shaping ethical climate in local government. Lastly, the study probed how executives dealt with competing interests and needs from stakeholders. Research relevance: Responsible leadership is an emerging construct in leadership theory. Currently its development has been influenced by Western perspectives. Given that leadership does not happen in vacuum – and that cultural and organisational context has influence in leadership orientation, exploring how responsible leadership is understood, developed and implemented in different contexts and various organisational types contributes to the advancement of the construct. Design / methodology / approach: The approach was inductive. The methodology was mono-qualitative study involving 15 semi-structured virtually conducted interviews with local government executives. Findings: Responsible leadership is about consideration of broader stakeholders. Contextual factors influenced the responsible leadership orientation. Responsible leaders promote ethical climate through promoting accountability and providing supporting knowledge and skills development to employees. Responsible leaders hold multiple perspectives and focus on promoting ethical decision-making when dealing with completing stakeholder interests. Implications: The findings contribute to the knowledge development of responsible leadership. They offer insights to law policy makers in local government about leadership development challenges.