Prideaux, Murray (2018) Power: the influencing role of Wontok; a Papua New Guinean context. In: [Presented at the International Studying Leadership Conference]. From: International Studying Leadership Conference 2018, 16-18 December 2018, Lancaster, UK.

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Abstract

Individual and collectives of 'Wantoks' (actors) exercise power in an attempt to achieve leadership and organisational outcomes within a specific context. This paper investigates the influence of Wantok power on leadership, context, power and resulting implications for leadership and organisational outcomes in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The study draws on the researcher's observations, conversations, interviews and day-to-day experiences whilst living and researching in PNG. The influence of Wantok contributes to shaping leadership practice; a recursive force influencing context. The strength and impact of intersecting forces inside context settings are moderated by how Wantoks exercise power, which in turn is swayed by individual and collective values, attitudes, assumptions, beliefts and expectations (VAABEs), mindsets and 'cultural' DNA. Results show that the understanding of the term Wantok continues to evolve from its traditional meaning, and has developed to appreciatbly influence the exercise of power and achievement of leadership and organisational outcomes. Findings suggest that the exercise of power is influenced by the deeply entrenched Wantok system in PNG. While the PNG context is particularly complex, more so than 'developed nations', the relationship does contribute to our broader understanding of the exercise of power, particularly leadership power. Teh findings raise a fundamental question: Is Wantok power, as practiced in the developing nation of PNG, really any different to the practice of power in 'developed nations'?

Item ID:	57394
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
Keywords:	power, Wantok, leadership, leadership-as-practice, worldly leadership, Papua New Guinea
Related URLs:	http://wp.lancs.ac.uk/islc-2018/conferen...
Date Deposited:	23 Apr 2019 01:48
FoR Codes:	15 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 1503 Business and Management > 150301 Business Information Management (incl Records, Knowledge and Information Management, and Intelligence) @ 100%
SEO Codes:	95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9599 Other Cultural Understanding > 959999 Cultural Understanding not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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