Followership in Organisational Leadership Studies: A Systematic Literature Review

Margaret Sonia Loyola
B. Aiswarya

Abstract

Although followership is just as important as leadership, it is often overlooked in leadership research due to the stereotypical belief that only leaders are responsible for organisational success and failures. However, without followers, leaders would not exist, and thus, studying followership is essential to improve our understanding of organisational leadership. This systematic literature review paper aims to contribute to the body of literature on leadership research by examining the conceptualisation of followership from both leader-centric and follower-centric perspectives. Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) method as a framework, this paper conceptualises followership and examines various aspects of follower conceptualisation, including definitions, styles, and attributes. It further investigates follower-centric predictors of leadership effectiveness. The paper also examines the theoretical perspectives utilised in understanding followership.

Keywords: Followership; Leader-centric Approach, Follower-centric Approach

Volume 14, Issue 1
June 30, 2023
Pages: 57-87

DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cbj.v14i1.150

Suggested citation:

Loyola, M. S. & Aiswarya, B. (2023). Followership in organizational leadership studies: A systematic literature review. Colombo Business Journal, 14(1), 119–140. http://doi.org/10.4038/cbj.v14i1.150

Margaret Sonia Loyola
Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Loyola College, India
  dr.marsonloy@gmail.com

B. Aiswarya
Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Loyola College, India