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The Impact of Visual Representations of Leadership in Tribal Dominated Societies: A critical qualitative study of aesthetic leadership in the United Arab Emirates
Bitar, Amer
Bitar, Amer
Publication Date
2017
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The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.
Peer-Reviewed
Open Access status
Accepted for publication
Institution
University of Bradford
Department
School of Management
Awarded
2017
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Abstract
This thesis explores the role and impact of leadership as a socially
constructed and aesthetic phenomenon in tribal-dominated Bedouin Arabia.
The concept of leadership is investigated in terms of its discursive and
aesthetic dimensions across different geographical, historical, and
intellectual settings by adopting and applying a Foucauldian perspective of
interconnected concepts of power/knowledge, discourse, subjectivity, body
symbolism and the power of gaze. The thesis draws on three related types of
data: First, images to understand the leaders’ perspective. Second,
interviews with artists to gain insights into the visual message and the
creative process. Third, through semi-structured interviews with the audience
to garner an understanding of how it perceives the message leaders send.
This thesis contributes theoretically to ongoing research into the visual
representation of leadership and to critical debates concerning Foucauldian
perspectives on discourse, power, discipline and the body. This thesis
concludes by recommending practical implications for rethinking leadership
as something both aesthetic and mythical to consider the role of followership
in the consumption of leadership-themed visual artworks and
communication, and the growing global role and influence of social media in
shaping leader-follower relations.
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Type
Thesis
Qualification name
DBA