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Purpose
Scholars’ ability to do research based on the notions of “follower” and “followership” is questioned when studying formal leadership in organizations. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
Critical comments are presented on the usefulness of the notions of followers and followership.
Findings
There are no evidence that followership exists other than some scholars’ perception of something that they have been unable to define. The conclusion is that the inability to define these notions is tantamount to the inability to research them.
Research limitations/implications
The literature review contains no new empirical data.
Originality/value
The paper stresses that study objects which are not theoretically and empirically defined cannot be investigated.
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2019
Emerald Publishing Limited
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