Central conceptual issues in transformational leadership research

Abstract

Transformational leadership is one of the most recent conceptualizations of leadership concepts. It has been specified as an important mechanism of introducing organizational change. Transformational leadership has received substantial research attention over the last two decades. As a result, transformational leadership research has created considerable knowledge about the transformational leadership phenomenon. It, however, has also generated several conceptual issues and addressing these issues is necessary for advancing transformational leadership research. Highlights six important conceptual issues that the research has generated. Also outlines the significance of each of these six issues and then provides a critical commentary based on these issues. In pointing out research implications, outlines the required research for addressing these issues and provides an outline of how research for addressing them can be approached. Finally, indicates some of the implications of this paper for practice.