Jumping through hoops: A longitudinal study of leader life cycles in the NBA

This study viewed succession, tenure, and performance among NBA teams in the context of leader life cycle theory originally developed by Hambrick and Fukutomi [Acad. Manage. Rev. 16 (1991) 719] and specified theory for the relationship among succession, tenure, and performance over time. Theory was also developed to consider the relationship between leader level and performance in succession and tenure. Results were consistent with a life cycle consisting of disruption, learning, and stagnation. Initial disruption was noted when succession occurred in-season but not present when succession occurred off-season. Coaches exhibited a stronger life cycle than owners. Leader life cycle theory offers promise for the development and integration of the succession and leadership literatures. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Inc.