Zaghmout, Bilal ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6296-9608 and Harrison, Christian (2025) Distributed Leadership: A Systematic Literature Review. Strategy & Leadership, 53 (3). pp. 299-320.

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Abstract

Purpose (limit 100 words) This paper critically examines the distributed leadership literature, identifying its conceptual foundations, thematic developments, and research gaps. Synthesising existing studies aims to advance theoretical and practical understandings of distributed leadership across diverse contexts. Design/methodology/approach (limit 100 words) A rigorous three-step systematic literature review (SLR) process was employed to analyse 111 peer-reviewed studies published between 2002 and 2022. This approach integrates descriptive and thematic analyses to address key research questions on distributed leadership's conceptualisation, thematic trends, and research gaps. Findings (limit 100 words) The review highlights distributed leadership as a dynamic and context-dependent concept, emphasising its social, collaborative, and performance-driven dimensions. Three primary themes emerged: behavioural perspectives, contextual influences, and performance implications. Gaps were identified in empirical, theoretical, population, and methodological domains. These include insufficient research in non-educational sectors, limited exploration of distributed leadership's applicability in developing nations, and the need for empirically validated frameworks and qualitative methodologies. Originality/value (limit 100 words) This review is among the first to systematically map distributed leadership's evolution across multiple contexts using an SLR approach. It provides a robust synthesis of the field, offering a validated baseline for future research. The study's methodological rigour and its focus on underexplored areas contribute significantly to advancing the discourse on distributed leadership.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	Published
DOI:	10.1108/sl-10-2024-0119
School/Department:	London Campus
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/11719

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