Abstract

Scholars have described the global leadership literature as western-centric (Arvey et al., 2015), age-blind (Spisak et al., 2014) and male-dominated (Kyriakidou, 2012; Syed & Murray, 2008). This PDW aims to address these gaps by providing an unconventional non- western perspective (Bamberger & Pratt, 2010) and incorporating intersectionality in gender and/or generational issues (Shields, 2008). We selected South Asia because of its richness, complexity and the rapidly transitioning organizations that have important implications for leadership (Khilji, 2013). The overarching goal of the PDW is to energize the global leadership field as well expand its theoretical significance by focusing upon gender and generational aspects (Glynn & Raffaelli, 2010). We present

research from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka with the purpose of stimulating debate and to begin to create new opportunities for future research in this area and context. We bring together five presenters from three continents (i.e. North America, Europe and Asia) to discuss a range of issues, including the relevance of resourcefulness for female entrepreneurial leaders, prevalence of paradoxes and role conflicts in women leaders’ lives, importance of gender identity, the need for effective leadership development programs for women and younger emerging leaders, and the strategies that women leaders use to overcome discrimination. Following the presentation of research, we will use an interactive discussion format. We believe that the PDW is an excellent opportunity to present ideas and develop research questions that broaden the leadership and gender debate, which are specifically relevant to a ‘new wave” of global leadership research.