The meaning of leadership in semiconductor industry

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to contribute towards the understanding of leadership in a U.S. semiconductor company, including the impact of various concepts of leadership on behaviour in the organisation, in order to identify the best practice of leadership for a semiconductor firm to achieve and maintain success in dynamic global competition. The findings aim to inform the best leadership practice and its effects on the organisation's behaviours in a semiconductor company. The research covers the period from early 2018 until 2020 using in-depth interviews with key stakeholders such as leaders-managers from different management levels and non-managers employees using qualitative methods in an U.S. semiconductor company based in Germany. This study investigates the interviewees' views on leadership. Fifteen interviewees were asked to recall and describe pivotal career events that helped them grow as leaders. Participants were also asked to provide their definition of leadership, to identify development gaps within the studied company, and to suggest leadership development activities. The primary findings of this study indicate that the current concept of leadership fosters greater inflexibility in management by increasing micromanagement and multiplying overlapping processes. For an organisation to be more productive and effective, transformational leadership is required to foster trust-based relationships and long-term growth, according to the interviewees. Interpersonal trust, self-identity, and authenticity are viewed as primary factors in developing a transformational and long-term mindset for the company to win markets in the semiconductor industry that are rapidly changing and highly competitive.