<p> The purpose of this study was to identify the qualities that characterize informal leadership in small organizations in the Greater Salt Lake City, Utah area and to develop a grounded theory regarding qualities that characterize informal leadership. The study involved 28 employees and 13 managers from three small organizations in the Greater Salt Lake City, Utah area. As a result of analyzing the data acquired from responses to an open-ended questionnaire and a review of peer-reviewed literature, a grounded theory and model of informal leadership were developed. The grounded theory identified individual competence, organizational structure, and situational requirements as themes related to informal leadership. Sub-themes that were identified represent informal leadership qualities. The sub-themes of confidence, ability, knowledge, willingness, example, and influence emerged from the study as qualities related to individual competence. The sub-themes of encouragement, ideas, asking, and opportunities emerged from the study as qualities related to organizational structure. The sub-themes of ability, organization, skills, goals, effectiveness, company, and teams emerged from the study as qualities related to situational requirements. Understanding gained from the current study may help leaders to realize that organizational culture will either promote or hinder the effectiveness of informal leadership. An understanding of the role that informal leadership plays in the leadership of the organization can offer leaders the opportunity to benefit from the specific qualities that individuals within the organization have to offer in an informal leadership capacity. The findings contribute to filling the gap in peer-reviewed literature related to informal leadership and to the body of knowledge relating to informal leadership as highlighted by the perceptions of employees and managers in small organizations. </p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3572919 |
| Date | 28 September 2013 |
| Creators | Stincelli, Elizabeth |
| Publisher | University of Phoenix |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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