Deducing an emergent South Korean behavioural taxonomy of perceived managerial and leadership effectiveness

Purpose This study aims to identify people’s perceptions of what behaviourally differentiates effective managers from ineffective within a South Korean (SK) public sector organization, and the extent which findings are similar or different those an equivalent previous in SK private sector. Design/methodology/approach Adopting “pragmatic approach” assuming post-positivist ontology constructivist–interpretivist epistemology, examples “effective” “ineffective” managerial behaviour were collected non-managerial employees central government Ministry using critical incident technique. The incidents coded, classified reduced smaller number behavioural categories. These then compared against replication open, axial selective coding generic criteria (GBCs) Findings High degrees convergence point towards emergence “two-factor” taxonomy perceived leadership effectiveness comprised positive ( n = 11) negative 4) GBCs behaviour. Practical implications constituting deduced could be used by HRD practitioners critically evaluate efficacy extant management development (MLD) programmes, inform/shape creation new MLD programmes. Additionally, they other HR professionals relevance assessment for existing selection, 360-degree feedback formal performance appraisal systems. Originality/value through Type 3 (emic-as-emic) 4 (emic-and-etic) indigenous research is rare example Eastern mid-range theory development.