Synthesizing research on leadership behaviors: Semantically validating a taxonomy using large language models and examining the nomological network with a second-order meta-analysis.

Abstract

Despite the expansion of research on leadership behaviors (LBs) over the past decades, this field faces challenges related to construct redundancy, which impedes theoretical integration and empirical accumulation. To address this issue, we conducted two complementary studies to systematically examine a six-category taxonomy of LBs (i.e., task-oriented, relational-oriented, change-oriented, value-based and moral, passive, and destructive LBs, collectively referred to as the TRCVPD taxonomy), which maps diverse LBs onto a unified framework. In Study 1, we compiled a database comprising measurement items from 48 LBs scales and leveraged large language models and subject-matter experts to assess whether measurement items of previously unclassified LBs semantically corresponded to the theoretical definitions of the TRCVPD taxonomy of LBs. Specifically, we were able to semantically match 41 of the 48 LBs to the TRCVPD taxonomy. Based on the findings of Study 1, Study 2 conducted a comprehensive second-order meta-analysis, synthesizing 109 meta-analyses based on more than 6 million participants. In particular, we evaluated the nomological network of the six LBs by meta-analytically estimating their relations with antecedents and outcomes. In addition, we used dominance analyses to further compare the relative importance of each LB category in explaining leadership outcomes. Together, these two studies present integrative findings that offer an overarching theoretical framework and empirical foundation for understanding the taxonomy and nomological structure of LBs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).