Abstract:

This article presents preliminary, theoretical assumptions for building the so-called comparative model of strategic leadership focused on inter-organizational centralized and decentralized networks. Considering the existence of various types of inter-organizational networks – in this case, centralized and decentralized, there should occur significant differences of leadership influence in both considered forms of network systems. As a result, an essential research problem emerges, which can be formulated as identifying the degree of diversity of leadership influence between centralized and decentralized networks. Thus, the main goal of this article is to present theoretical research assumptions for building the comparative model of strategic leadership within centralized and decentralized inter-organizational networks, based on chosen leadership manifestations characterized in contemporary subject literature. Subsequently, the mentioned model will become the basis for further analysis including both quantitative and qualitative research methods.