How Do Leaders React to Fear of Power Loss: A Semi-Systematic Literature Review

Sabulyte, Akvile (2022) How Do Leaders React to Fear of Power Loss: A Semi-Systematic Literature Review. Master thesis, Psychology.

	Text Master Thesis_Akvile Sabulyte_S4870131.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (966kB)
	Text request to upload thesis to library as confidential.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (221kB)

Abstract

Numerous studies show that power changes the powerholders. Yet, little is systematically known about what happens when leaders face threats to their power and fear losing it. To synthesize the current findings on leaders’ responses to fear of power loss into a cohesive framework, we conducted a semi-systematic literature review. We first provide a brief overview of the current state of research outlining the potential effects on leaders caused by threats to their power and fear of power loss. Later, we propose a theoretically-backed model to classify the effects of leaders’ fear of power loss. We conducted a literature search by topic-relevant keywords followed by article selection according to exclusion and inclusion criteria. We found articles ranging from 1962 to 2021 addressing behavioral, cognitive, affective, and one physiological outcome of leaders’ fear of power loss, that we classified additionally and discussed in a systematic manner. Interestingly, we got significantly more articles focused on behavioral responses to fear of power loss rather than on addressing cognitive, affective, and physiological outcomes. Moreover, we found exogenous and endogenous mediators and moderators impacting interactions between fear of power loss and its consequences. Additionally, based on the findings from our review, we proposed a novel classification of leaders’ behavioral strategies to protect power by either weakening others’ or strengthening their position. Finally, we address the limitations of this study and propose future research recommendations synthesized into six directions addressing thematic, methodological, and current organizational tendencies. Keywords: Fear of power loss, powerholders, threats to power, reactions to threats to power, review

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Rus, D.C.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Work, Organizational and Personnel Psychology (WOP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	11 Jul 2022 10:12
Last Modified:	11 Jul 2022 10:12
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/857

Actions (login required)

View Item