Summary and discussion
The above research shows that PL works more positively or less
negatively when subordinates endorse traditional values and when
subordinates heavily depend on their leaders for resources. These
findings provide support for the general proposition that the PL model
is deeply embedded in its Chinese context, and its effects on sub-
ordinates are conditioned by a set of situational factors. Future
research should examine more systematically how situational factors,
ranging from subordinates’ values and personalities to the leader’s
characteristics, to task and organizational characteristics, may amp-
lify or neutralize the effects of PL on subordinates’ and work-unit
outcomes.
A configurational approach to paternalistic leadership
Most leadership theories (e.g. Fiedler, 1967 ; House, 1971 ) have taken
a reductionistic approach to examining the leadership phenomenon
(Meyer, Tsui, and Hinnings, 1993 ). They presume the relationships
between leadership and outcomes are deterministic and focus on
a limited number of variables. An alternative approach would be to
treat leadership as a multidimensional phenomenon and analyze leaders’
relations to their contexts and outcomes as configurational problems
(Meyer, Tsui, and Hinnings, 1993 ). As we have discussed, PL is a com-
plex concept, existing in a specific socio-cultural context, embracing
conflicting elements (e.g. domineering coupled with individualized
care), and working through divergent psychological mechanisms.
This complexity calls for a holistic approach to studying PL. In this
section, we explore a configurational approach to PL with an attempt
to answer the following questions. What are the different types of
PL leader that exist in Chinese organizations? Which types of PL leader
do Chinese employees prefer? To which types of PL leader do Chinese
followers respond favorably?
According to Meyer, Tsui, and Hinnings ( 1993 ), configuration
refers to any multidimensional constellation of conceptually distinct
characteristics that commonly occur together. Configurations can be
represented in typologies developed conceptually from theories or
captured in taxonomies through empirical research. Configuration
has occasionally been used in earlier leadership research. For example,
Smith and Foti ( 1998 ) analyzed leader emergence from a configurational
184 Jiing-lih Farhet al.