Studying Leadership Rigorously
Story Behind the Leadership Survey of Africa (LSOA)
The study of leaders and leadership is an ongoing challenge for researchers and policymakers. There are several established institutes and study centres with the aim to discuss the dimensions of leadership. However, the collection of systematic, cross-national data has been limited particularly in the African context.
The Leadership Survey of Africa (LSOA) concept began as an idea from researchers and practitioners who were largely engaging in face-to-face, qualitative interviews to gather data. Although interviews provided a detailed account of leaders, leadership, and decision-making, the coverage was limited due to time and finances in the field. In addition, not all interviews used a standard set of questions that could be coded, converted in quantitative data, and analysed with a cross-national perspective.
The LSOA was inaugurated to fill the gap in the present research methodology and increase the rigor of studies of leaders and leadership. Using a unique approach and working closely with stakeholders, the LSOA aims to set a new standard for understanding the opinions and experiences of thought leaders.
How does the LSOA remedy the major problems in studying leaders and leadership?
Explore the common problems that researchers and policymakers face when studying leaders and leadership. Click on the “problem” to reveal how the LSOA deals with the concern:
Many studies of leadership rely on interviews and other qualitative data. However, the LSOA uses a common interview questionnaire to gather systematic data that includes both close ended and open ended (post-coded and not post-coded) questions. To date, systematic surveys of leaders are few. LSOA is meant to compliment the good qualitative work that has already begun.
Interviews and qualitative data may sometimes be cross-nationally comparative if a standard questionnaire is used. However, this is not always the case. In addition, methods of sampling in qualitative work are largely not systematic (e.g., snowball sampling). LSOA asks the same set of questions across country contexts to have cross-nationally comparative data. The sampling approach also ensures that LSOA obtains a more representative set of views from leaders.
Research on leaders and leadership is not easy to replicate. This is largely because information from interviews is not often made public alongside research publications. LSOA aims to be fully transparent with data that allows analysts to replicate any research produced.
Studies of leaders and leadership often focus on a few and major leaders. LSOA takes a broader view on leadership that extends beyond a few important leaders or executive directors of NGOs. LSOA is still targeted at senior leadership, but this is a expanded number of thought leaders. In addition, the survey focuses on individuals’ opinions and experiences such that differences of opinion can be observed by sampled thought leaders from the same organization or institution. This more accurately reflects the diversity of opinions and beliefs within organized groups.
