Abstract

Introduction

For the past millennia and beyond, chaos and wars have ravaged most of the globe, undifferentiating between the developed, developing and underdeveloped countries. The Orient or the Middle East as we know it and specifically the Levant have experienced the most everlasting, relentless and continuous chaos. However despite this somber predicament, individuals, families, organizations, and communities in this region have learned to remain resilient in the face of adversity.  Fundamental cases of organizational resilience emerge from within, highlighting the role Leaders have in spearheading organizations in this environmental dynamic. Practitioner and Scholars alike have devised initiatives and concepts to understand this phenomenon from different angles. As we examine this entanglement, a new paradigm emerges in an attempt to grasp this complexity, out of which a stimulating question arises; how do Leaders sustain resilience in a chaotic environment?

When conducting a comprehensive research on resilient leadership in a chaotic environment, a set of literature emerges in discussing independent variables at play, such as critical reflection, and relational construction. But a gap in the literature fails to link variables together along with the intervening process at play, pressing for a hypothetical question that introduces new dimensions to understanding resilient leadership.

Background

The goal of our study here is to help us understand how Resilient Leadership is sustained in Chaotic and unstable environment. The research will shed light on the importance of Relational Construction in the process. Additionally alongside with the analysis of the Case Studies on Relational Construction, we will then be able to draw a set of recommended actions learning moments that Leaders can take to develop Resilience in face of adversity.

Research Topic

The Impact of Relational Dialogue on Resilient Leadership in Chaotic Environments

Hypothesis

We are going to examine whether relational dialogues amongst leaders promote resilient leadership in chaotic organizational environment.

Research Question

1. How (Does) Relationship Building /construction promote Resilient Leadership in Chaotic (Organizational) environments?
2. How (Does) Relational Dailogue promote Resilent Leadership in Chatoic Environments?

Conceptual Framework

Theoretical Framework

Literature Review

1. Social Constructivism
   1. Relational Self
   2. Relational Building
   3. Relational Dialogue
   4. Relational Leading
   5. Actor Networks
2. Conflict Resolution Theory
   1. Conflict Resolution
   2. Dialogue
   3. Conflict and Transformation
3. Chaos Theory
   1. Chaotic Environments
   2. Chaotic Organizations
   3. Leading in Environmental Catastrophes
   4. Leading in Wars
4. Resilience
   1. Personal Resilience
   2. Leadership Resilience
   3. Organizational Resilience
   4. Environmental Resilience
   5. Resilient Leadership in Chaotic Environments

Research Methods

Case Study

Case Studies around Relational Construction initiatives will be conducted to explore the dynamic Leaders play in the process. Those Case Studies are drawn from several initiatives within the Middle East, where such initiatives hold integral action plans in mediating sustainable business project; and hold round tables for leaders.  Finally will pool the data together to design an interview protocol, and then select a dozen or so Leaders to conduct the semi-structured interviews. The resulting mixed methods research, along with ethnographic tools, case studies, and elements of phenomenology will help us understand weather or not Relational Construction promote Resilient Leadership in Chaotic environments.

Grounded Theory

Timeline

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