Leadership Styles: Understanding the Approach to Leading Others in Community-Company Relations
Keywords:
Leadership, Community, Company, Relations, StakeholderAbstract
Companies operate within communities inhabited by people who, in one way or the other, maintain organized and genuine expectations. This therefore means that there must be a contractual relationship between the company and the community as an organized unit. In light of the above, this paper examined the issue of leadership in community-company relations as an integral part of corporate governance. The study addressed key questions, such as what strategies, patterns, or trends are adopted in community-company relations. and what leadership style (s) can guarantee harmonious community -company relations? The study explained the concepts of Leadership, leadership styles, and community–company relations and adopted the Stakeholder theory as its theoretical basis. The theory is predicated on mutuality of interests and utilitarianism. In this context, the socio-economic fortunes of the community are affected by the companies' operations in the same way that companies function optimally when they operate within the framework of stakeholder theory. The study relied solely on secondary data and analyzed the same using content analysis. Analyzing the patterns and trends of community-company relations, it was found that they are characterized by a tripod of conflictual rules of engagement, a doctrine of tokenism, and ethno-tribal tendencies. It is also our finding that community-company relations are shaped largely by intimidatory leadership traits. The study therefore recommended the adoption of the principles, norms, and values enunciated in stakeholder theory as a guarantee of a paradigm shift from confrontation to collaboration, in line with best international practices.
References
Adeniyi, S. (2016). Review of the art of leading: Open secrets of leadership effectiveness. Thisday, February 6.
Amadi, N. N. (2025). Tottered economy and war of survival: predators and prey, who are the losers? No. 62 Inaugural Lecture Series, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, February 27.
Awujo, A. C. (1997). Elements of management. Olliverson Publishers.
Azaiki, S. (2003). Inequalities in Nigerian politics. Treasure Communication Resources Ltd. Carroll, A. B. (1991). The pyramid of corporate social responsibility: Toward the moral management of organizational stakeholders. Business Horizons, July–Aug., 39–48. Donaldson, T., & Preston, L. (1995). The stakeholder theory of the corporation: Concepts, evidence, and implications. Academy of Management Review, 20, 65–91.
Elaigwu, J. I. (1991). Federalism and national leadership in Nigeria. Publius: The Journal of Federalism, 21(4), 125-144. Emshoff , J. (1978). Managerial breakthroughs. AMACOM
Ezeani, E. (2010). Political Science: An introduction. Willyrose & Appleseed Publishing Corp. Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Pitman
Gilbert, L. D. (2018). Basic concepts in peace studies and conflict resolution. In L. D. Gilbert & O. B. Orluwene (Eds.), Introduction to peace studies and conflict resolution (pp. 1-20). Press and Bookshop unit, IAUE.
Irikana, G. J., & Orisa, A. A. (2007). Themes in social studies education in Nigeria. Lukozims Nigeria Ltd.
Joel, J. C. (2018). Multinational corporations and community development in Rumuolumeni community, Rivers State. Unpublished M.Sc. thesis submitted to the Department of Political Science, IAUE, PH.
Nna, N. J. (2024). Nigeria: the burden of diversity. No. 185 Inaugural Lecture Series, University of Port Harcourt, March 28.
Nyewusira, V., & Nweke, K. (2007). The role of multinational companies and the Nigeria State in the underdeveloping and crisis in the Niger Delta. African Journal of Educational Research and Management Studies. 1(1&2), 148–159.
Okoko, K. A. B., & Nwa, N. J. (1998). Emerging trends and community perception in the Nigerian oil industry. Nigerian Journal of oil and politics, 1(2), 44-55.
Onah, F. O., & Nyewusira, V. (2005). Oil exploitation and sustainable development in the Niger Delta area. Journal of Political and Administrative Studies, 2(1), 151–166.
Onah, R. C. (2005). Public administration. Great AP Express Publishers Ltd. Wartick, S. L., & Cochran, P. L. (1985). The evolution of the corporate social performance model, Academy of Management Review 10, 758–769.
Wilson, G. (2022). Nigeria’s quest for development: a journey without a roadmap. No 41. Inaugural Lecture Series, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, August, 25.
