Use reference materials to find background information. Reference books can help you:
Encyclopedia of management theory by 
Encyclopedia of Leadership by 
The Oxford Handbook of Organizational Climate and Culture by 
The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of Leadership, Change, and Organizational Development by 
Organizational Behavior 1 by 
The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of Leadership, Change, and Organizational Development by
A state-of-the-art reference, drawing on key contemporary research to provide an in-depth, international, and competencies-based approach to the psychology of leadership, change and OD Puts cutting-edge evidence at the fingertips of organizational psychology practitioners who need it most, but who do not always have the time or resources to keep up with scholarly research Thematic chapters cover leadership and employee well-being, organizational creativity and innovation, positive psychology and Appreciative Inquiry, and leadership-culture fit Contributors include David Cooperrider, Manfred Kets de Vries, Emma Donaldson-Feilder, Staale Einarsen, David Day, Beverley Alimo-Metcalfe, Michael Chaskalson and Bernard Burnes
Cross-Cultural Leadership Studies by
Leadership is a universal phenomenon that has been consistently identified as playing a critical role in the success or failure of organizations. This book begins with an overview of the history and evolution of leadership studies and traces some of the major "schools" of leadership studies that have attracted the interest of researchers since the 19th century. Also discussed are the various theories and models of leadership that have emerged over that period. The author introduces cross-cultural leadership studies and then discusses cross-cultural competencies of global leaders, which are the practical applications of the information available from the researchers to the day-to-day activities of leaders in business organizations around the world. Finally, the book assesses the research on cross-cultural leadership, culture, and leadership in developing countries.
Leadership and Change Management by
A leader's role in the management of change is a critical issue for successful outcomes of strategic initiatives. Globalization and economic instability have prompted an increase in organizational changes related to downsizing and restructuring in order to improve financial performance and organizational competitiveness. Researchers agree that a leader's inability to fully understand what is needed in order to guide their organization through successful change can be a reason for failure. Proper planning and management of change can reduce the likelihood of failure, promote change effectiveness, and increase employee engagement. Yet, change in organizations must be viewed as a continuous activity that affects both organizational and individual outcomes. If change management can be considered as an event induced by socio-cultural factors, the cultural variable gains greater significance when applied to the quality of the relationship between a leader and their team. Many organizations today are on the verge of internationalization. It is here that the cultural context can affect behaviors and, in the same way, leadership style. The research presented in this book by an eminent group of scholars explores the influence of culture - ethnic, regional, religious - on how leaders manage change within organizations.
Diversity and Leadership by
Although leadership theories have evolved to reflect changing social contexts, many remain silent on issues of equity, diversity, and social justice. Diversity and Leadership offers a new paradigm for examining leadership by bringing together two domains--research on leadership and research on diversity--to challenge existing notions of leadership and move toward a diverse and global view of society and its institutions. This compelling book delivers an approach to leadership that is inclusive, promotes access for diverse leaders, and addresses barriers that narrowly confine our perceptions and expectations of leaders. Redefining leadership as global and diverse, the authors impart new understanding of who our leaders are, the process of communication, exchange between leaders and their members, criteria for selecting, training, and evaluating leaders in the 21st century, and the organizational and societal contexts in which leadership is exercised.