Multi-level Leadership: Grounded Theory and Mainstream Theory Applied to the Case of General Motors

Selected aspects of Hunt’s (1991) extended multiple-organizational-level leadership model are used in an illustrative analysis of a case narrative emphasizing Roger Smith’s almost decade-long tenure as chair and CEO at General Motors. The illustrative analysis compares and contrasts ways in which grounded theory and mainstream perspectives can be applied to help explain what occurred at various hierarchical-organizational levels during Smith’s tenure. Propositions based on the case narrative and selected aspects of Hunt’s model are developed and discussed in terms of grounded theory and mainstream perspectives. Two illustrative propositions are analyzed using levels-of-analysis theory in combination with the hierarchical organizational levels emphasized in Hunt’s framework.