Trends and Prospects in Shared Leadership Studies : Focusing on Antecedent and Moderator Factors Studies

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify gaps in existing research of shared leadership focusing on its antecedent and moderator factors and to look ahead to what kind of research is required for the future. A detailed review based on a scoping review identified research gaps in each of the following research groups : 1.antecedents research group focusing on vertical leader factors, 2.antecedents research group focusing on factors other than vertical leader factors, 3.moderators research group focusing on factors other than vertical leader factors, 4.moderators research group focusing on the vertical leader factors. Group1. lacked research on the process and mechanisms by which vertical leaders’ leadership behaviors positively influence shared leadership. Group2. lacked research on organizational level factors and research on the relationships among antecedents those have already been identified. Group3. lacked research on commonality needed to leverage differences among members, also research on moderator effects of external environment factors of the team were also lacked. As to Group4., none of research was done in this group. According to above gaps in existing research, future research possibilities for further development of the shared leadership research field were discussed.