Culturally specific or generalizable: The occurrence and effectiveness of transformational leadership in Iran

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to offer a comprehensive review of the extant research on the emergence and effects of transformational leadership (TL) in Iran. The review shows that TL research in Iran has considerable similarities with findings emerging from the Western context with regards to the effects of TL on individual and organizational outcomes. However, there is scant research on what factors contribute to the emergence of this leadership, how it weaves its effects on outcomes and when this leadership behavior is more or less effective. Specifically, the role of culture as an antecedent of TL and as a boundary condition of its effects has received sparse attention.