Discourse and intersectionality over time in leadership composition

Abstract

Using British Airways (BA) PLC as the case study, I undertake a critical discourse analysis of the lack of diversity in top management teams. Organization leadership is important for several reasons including its role in organization performance and success. As operating environments become progressively complex, understanding who the leaders are, and how that leadership composition comes about, is critical. Despite globalization and increased access to diverse ways of thinking, ultimate authority resides in the top management teams whose configuration remains homogenous. I explore how the discourse of leadership precludes greater diversity in the composition of the highest levels of management. Results highlight three key factors that affect the discourse of leadership. They are history, the organization intersectionality experience, and influence from the external operating environment.