Victoria Kharchuk, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Professor of the  Department Management and International Business Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv, Ukraine

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4354-9549
e-mail: viktoriia.y.kharchuk@lpnu.ua

Bohdan Hayduk, postgraduate, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv, Ukraine

ORCID ID: 0009-0007-5774-6574
e-mail: bohdan.v.haiduk@lpnu.ua

The Study of the Evolution and Formation of the Concept of “Harmonious Leadership” in the International Scientific Field

Abstract. Introduction. In today’s business environment, there is a growing need for new approaches to leadership that can not only ensure the economic success of organizations, but also contribute to the achievement of “sustainable development” goals. Due to global challenges such as climate change, social responsibility, and rapid technological change, traditional leadership styles focused solely on short-term gain and profit maximization are losing their effectiveness. They are gradually being replaced by new leadership paradigms that focus on balancing economic growth, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability. 

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to examine the evolution and formation of the concept of “sustainable leadership” through comparison with the most scientifically studied leadership styles focused on achieving sustainable business development. A comparative analysis of leadership styles is carried out, outlining the common and distinctive features in the approaches of scholars to the interpretation of the phenomenon under study. 

Results: The study revealed a wide range of leadership styles aimed at achieving “sustainable development”, many of which are interrelated, indicating their conceptual similarity. Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that the concept of “sustainable leadership” covers a much wider range of challenges faced by organizations and operates within the balance of the three components of “sustainable development” – economic, social and environmental development. Compared to other leadership styles studied, “sustainable leadership” is much more focused on financial stability and growth of shareholder value, innovation, continuous development, employee engagement and professional growth, trust and support of a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and environmental protection.

Conlusions: The results obtained will be useful both for scholars in the development of scientific debates on the conceptualization of “sustainable leadership”, and for practitioners aimed at improving management approaches to the implementation of “sustainable leadership” practices.

Keywords: sustainable leadership; transformational leadership; ethical leadership; authentic leadership; servant leadership; responsible leadership; moral leadership; visionary leadership; green/environmental leadership; value-based shared leadership

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