A case study approach to the leadership ascension and the paths to power in Liberia

Liberia has been classified as a developing country with leadership difficulties since 1974 and has not achieved an increase in economic development (Dunn & Holsoe, 1995; World Bank, 2003). This qualitative case study utilizing content analysis explored the ascension to leadership process in the developing country through the examination of secondary data. The study using NVivo 2.0 qualitative computer software identified key themes emergent in the leadership ascension process and system factors that may have prohibited Liberia from advancing beyond the developing country status. Four common themes emerged that may provide leaders with factors that may have inhibited the country: patterns of ascension into leadership positions, civil war and political corruption, lack of competent leadership, and dependency on Western investors.