Unpacking the chain mediation process between transformational leadership and knowledge worker creative performance: evidence from China

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 483-498
Author(s):  
Kwame Ansong Wadei ◽  
Chen Lu ◽  
Weijun Wu
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Knowledge Workers ◽  
Boundary Spanning ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Mediation Process ◽  
Creative Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioral Mechanism ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to draw upon motivated information processing theory to examine the sequential mediating roles of perspective taking and boundary spanning between transformational leadership and the creative performance of knowledge workers. Design/methodology/approach The study was carried out on a sample, including a dyad of 398 knowledge workers and their immediate supervisors in four research institutes in southwest China. The authors tested the theoretical model using structural equation modeling (SEM) and Mplus 7.0 software. Findings The results support the mediation model in which perspective taking was found to significantly and positively mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and boundary spanning. Boundary spanning was found to significantly and positively mediate the relationship between perspective taking and creative performance. Moreover, both perspective taking and boundary spanning were found to mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and creative performance. Practical implications The study findings imply that the transformational leadership behaviors of managers or supervisors nurture knowledge workers' perspective taking and their boundary spanning activities leading to creative performance. Originality/value The findings contribute new knowledge to the relationship between transformational leadership and creative performance by uncovering the causal chain of a cognitive mechanism (perspective taking) with a behavioral mechanism (boundary spanning).

Linking transformational leadership and “multi-dimensions” of project success

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umer Zaman ◽  
Shahid Nawaz ◽  
Sidra Tariq ◽  
Asad Afzal Humayoun
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Transformational leadership, flexibility and visibility improves project responsiveness to highly unpredictable and impactful events referred as the ‘black swans’ in mega projects (Bloch et al., 2012; Raziq et al., 2018; Zailani et al., 2016). However, these concepts have never been empirically tested in a single framework to determine their significant impact on multi-dimensional project success. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interactional effects of project flexibility and project visibility on the relationship between transformational leadership and “multi-dimensions” of project success including meeting design goals; impact on customers and benefits to project-based organization. Design/methodology/approach Empirical data derived from cross-sectional survey of 160 project managers from telecom intensive companies in Pakistan were used to test the conceptual framework developed from recent literature. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) provided detailed analysis of the measurement and structural model. The most recent reflective–formative PLS-SEM approach for higher-order constructs has been introduced. Findings The results indicate that project managers’ transformational leadership (β = 0.348, p < 0.01), project flexibility (β = 0.221, p < 0.01) and project visibility (β = 0.366, p < 0.01) are positively related with the multi-dimensional project success (second-order formative) construct. Interestingly, the relationship between transformational leadership and project success is influenced by significantly negative moderations established through project flexibility (β = −0.100, p < 0.01) and project visibility (β = −0.093, p < 0.05). Research limitations/implications This study in the telecom sector examined the interactional effects of risk mitigating strategies (i.e. project flexibility and project visibility) on the relationship between transformational leadership and multi-dimensional project success. This study creates a basis for future investigations extending to various project types and relevant to different industries especially those involving higher-order (formative) assessments of project success. Practical implications The study findings assist project leaders to meet their escalating commitments in achieving project success from a multi-dimensional standpoint. Additionally, this study underscores a renewed perspective of transformational leadership and project outcomes. Despite prevailing understanding developed through prior research, transformational leadership may become less favorable for project success in conditions of increased flexibility and visibility in projects. Originality/value Earlier studies have overlooked the multi-dimensional nature of project success (second-order formative) construct, despite several attempts to examine the interplay between transformational leadership and project success. Based on the knowledge gap and non-existence of empirical evidence, the authors introduced and empirically tested the moderating role of project flexibility and project visibility in the relationship between transformational leadership and multi-dimensional project success.

The relationship between career capital and career success among Finnish knowledge workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 687-706
Author(s):  
Maria Järlström ◽  
Tiina Brandt ◽  
Anni Rajala
Keyword(s):  
Career Success ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Knowledge Workers ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Academic Degree ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Welfare Society ◽  
Career Capital ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis study aims to advance a holistic and integrated view to understand the relationship between career capital and career success among knowledge workers.Design/methodology/approachThe study examines the associations of three forms of career capital – human, social and psychological capital – on career success. Career success is measured through a subjective evaluation of career satisfaction and an objective evaluation of promotion. The data are drawn from 624 knowledge workers from Finland with an academic degree in business studies. The model is tested through structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results stress the importance of psychological capital as an important career resource among knowledge workers. Therefore, our findings contribute to career research by supporting the argument that context and/or occupational group matters in the relationship between career capital and career success.Research limitations/implicationsThe cross-sectional data partly restrict our ability to delimit an impact. Further research using a longitudinal design would be required to confirm longitudinal effects. The respondents were a relatively homogeneous group of knowledge workers, and thus, the results are not generalized to other samples. The Finnish context (e.g., a high-quality education system, welfare society, dual-earner model) may also include special aspects that may have an effect on results limiting generalization to different contexts rather than Nordic ones.Practical implicationsCareer capital is an important element of taking charge of one's career, which is expected in current working life scenarios. Given psychological capital has an impact on employees' career success, employees' psychological capital could be supported in organizations to help them to adapt to career changes. Employers benefit from individuals who are willing to invest in their work, and therefore, the employers should be aware of the individual factors that affect employees' career success.Social implicationsThe meaning of career success may be context and culture related, as might its predictors. Hence, perceived career success may benefit and spill over to several stakeholders such as employers, family members and friends through its effects of positive energy and well-being. Career counselors could place more emphasis than currently on developing the psychological capital of their clients. The findings are important for other practitioners as well, such as human resource (HR) professionals who might consider dedicated programs fostering psychological capital qualities, which seem to relate to career success among knowledge workers.Originality/valueA research model that considers career capital as an integrated entity is presented rather than focusing on a single form of career capital. Contextual issues were included by focusing on knowledge workers who represent careerists in a welfare society. These findings could advance career theory and provide developmental guidelines to help employers, HR and career-oriented individuals to build successful careers.

Behavioral mechanism and boundary conditions of transformational process

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 970-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su-Ying Pan ◽  
Katrina Jia Lin
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Mediation Process ◽  
Transformational Leaders ◽  
Feedback Seeking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioral Mechanism ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine a behavioral mechanism linking transformational leadership (TFL) and subordinates’ task performance and its boundary conditions. The authors examined the mediation role of subordinates’ feedback-seeking behavior and the interactive effect of self-efficacy and dyadic tenure on the transformational leadership-task performance link. Design/methodology/approach – Paper and pencil surveys were administered to 239 supervisor-subordinate dyads from different industries in Taiwan. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test the discriminant validity of the main variables. Hierarchical linear regression and bootstrapping were used to examine the moderated mediation effect. Findings – First, subordinates’ feedback-seeking behavior mediates the relationship between TFL and subordinates’ task performance. Second, self-efficacy mitigates this mediation process when dyadic tenure is low, whereas self-efficacy enhances this mediation process when dyadic tenure is high. Research limitations/implications – The use of a cross-sectional design prevents us from drawing causal conclusions. Practical implications – This study suggests that for high-self-efficacy subordinates, organizations should try to shorten the period required to familiarize oneself with transformational leaders. In contrast, for low-self-efficacy subordinates, organizations should try to enhance their self-efficacy over time to ensure that they are capable of implementing transformational leaders’ expectations in the long run. Originality/value – This empirical study examines a behavioral mechanism in the TFL-task performance link. In addition, by addressing the interactive effect of TFL, self-efficacy and dyadic tenure, it resolves theoretical conflicts and enables us to better understand the effectiveness of TFL in different contexts. A Chinese sample is also unique and valuable.

The impact of transformational leadership on employee creativity: the role of learning orientation

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeevan Jyoti ◽  
Manisha Dev
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Learning Orientation ◽  
Transformational Leader ◽  
Employee Creativity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose – This research aims to explore the relationship between transformational leadership and employee creativity. In addition, we intend to study the moderating role played by learning orientation in the relationship between transformational leadership and employee creativity. Design/methodology/approach – Data have been collected from employees working at the Airtel and Aircel call centers of J&K (India). A two-step approach to structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to assess the proposed measurement model fit and construct validity. The structural model was generated to test the significance of the theoretical relationships. Findings – The results revealed that there is a positive relationship between transformational leadership and employee creativity, and it is being moderated by learning orientation. Research limitations/implications – Although this study expands our knowledge about the role of learning orientation between transformational leadership and employee creativity, the prospects for further research are still present. The cross-sectional design of study might not have been able to extract the true essence of the cause-and-effect relationship between transformational leadership and employee creativity. Practical implications – Transformational leaders promote followers’ creativity, so the management may find it valuable to invest in transformational leadership training for supervisors and team leaders, or use personality testing to screen for high-caliber candidates, who have high potential of becoming a transformational leader. The characteristics of a transformational leader, when coupled with the learning orientation of employees, yield positive results in the form of employee creativity, which managers can use to generate sustainable competitive advantages for their organizations. Originality/value – This paper is original, as it contributes to existing theory by establishing the moderating role played by learning orientation in between transformational leadership and employee creativity. The moderation has been proved via SEM with the help of latent constructs, which is seldom done.

Why does leader attention scope matter for innovation ambidexterity? The mediating role of transformational leadership

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 912-935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofeng Zheng ◽  
Zhiying Liu ◽  
Xiuyuan Gong
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Leadership Behavior ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Upper Echelons Theory ◽  
Attention Scope ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role leader attention plays in the nurture of transformational leadership (TL) behavior, as well as the mechanism by which TL affects innovation ambidexterity, this research empirically studied the relationship between leader attention scope (LAS) and innovation ambidexterity (exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation) through the mediating role of TL. Further, the moderating effect of environmental dynamism (ED) on the relationship between TL and innovation ambidexterity was examined. Design/methodology/approach Empirical study was adopted by distributing questionnaires to high echelon leaders in mainland China to assess related variables. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships of the variables based on the 188 returned questionnaires. Findings The results show that LAS had a positive effect on innovation ambidexterity, and the relationship was partially mediated by TL. ED negatively moderated the relationship between TL and innovation ambidexterity. Practical implications The results suggest that upper echelon leaders receive more unfamiliar, outward-oriented, and source-diverse information to broaden their attention scope. The broad outlook they get obliges them to engage in TL behavior which is beneficial for innovation ambidexterity. Originality/value Based on upper echelons theory, this research reveals the realization mechanism of innovation ambidexterity from the perspectives of leader attention and leadership behavior. This paper avoids the previous research limitation of prevalently employing demographic measurements to substitute for leaders’ psychological processes. The study of LAS also explains the formation mechanism of TL. ED is considered to examine the effectiveness of TL.

A mediating and moderating role on employee performance appraisal

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adie Irwan Kusumah ◽  
Haryadi ◽  
Adi Indrayanto ◽  
Iwan Setiawan
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Intrinsic Motivation ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose This study aims to determine the relationship between transformational leadership, self-efficacy, gender, intrinsic motivation and employee performance in mediating and moderating roles. Design/methodology/approach Respondents in this study were 531 hotel employees (human resources development staff, financial, relationship) in Yogyakarta who were led by women. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses using AMOS 22.0. Findings The results show that transformational leadership has a positive and significant effect on employee performance, self-efficacy acts as a mediating variable on the relationship between transformational leadership and employee performance. The results also indicate that gender acts as a moderating variable by strengthening the relationship between transformational leadership and employee performance and intrinsic motivation acts as a moderating variable by strengthening the relationship between self-efficacy and employee performance. Research limitations/implications This study has two limitations. First, the research results cannot conclude the company in general because the sampling of this study is limited to the hotel business which is led by women only. Future research is needed to explore more deeply to compare the performance of employees in companies led by women and those led by men. Second, this study uses only one independent variable. Future research needs to be done to explore the effect of other variables on company performance, such as work culture, work environment and job satisfaction. Practical implications The main managerial contribution of this study is directed to companies that are interested in developing employee performance. First, self-efficacy is able to mediate transformational leadership in achieving employee performance. Besides this research offers a clear strategy for companies to stimulate their employees to strengthen leadership individually so as to improve the quality of their work. Thus, companies can carry out leadership training that is focused on being able to recognize employees who have low self-efficacy. If this is done, the company can reduce expenses that are not small but can make a significant contribution. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the mediating and moderating role of transformational leadership, employee performance, self-efficacy, gender and intrinsic motivation, especially in a hotel business led by women in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The impact of transformational leadership on employees’ creativity

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taghrid S. Suifan ◽  
Ayman Bahjat Abdallah ◽  
Marwa Al Janini
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Perceived Organizational Support ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of transformational leadership on employees’ creativity in the Jordanian banking sector through the mediating effect of perceived organizational support. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on survey data collected from 369 employees working in Jordanian banks. Validity and reliability analyses were performed, and direct and indirect effects were tested using structural equation modeling. Findings The results indicate that transformational leadership positively affects some dimensions of employees’ creativity and perceived organizational support. However, perceived organizational support is found to not be significantly related to some dimensions of employees’ creativity. Additionally, the mediating effect of perceived organizational support on the relationship between transformational leadership and some dimensions of employees’ creativity is found to not be significant. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to examine the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ creativity through perceived organizational support, especially in an Arab country and in the banking sector.

scholarly journals The role of person-job fit in the relationship between transformational leadership and job engagement

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 373-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong T.M. Bui ◽  
Yolanda Zeng ◽  
Malcolm Higgs
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Job Fit ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ work engagement based on fit theory. The paper reports an investigation into the way in which employees’ perceptions of transformational leadership and person-job fit affect their work engagement. Design/methodology/approach To test the authors’ hypotheses, the authors performed structure equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation on Mplus with bootstrapping proposed by Hayes (2009) with data from 691 full-time employees in China. Findings The results indicate that transformational leadership has as significant influence on employees’ work engagement as person-job fit in China. Moreover, employees’ perception of person-job fit is found to partially mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ work engagement. Research limitations/implications There is a possible bias arising from the use of cross-sectional data. However, certain methods were implemented to minimize it, including survey design and data analysis. Practical implications The paper proposes a number of practical implications for policy makers, HR managers and transformational leaders relating to issues associated with improving levels of employee engagement. Originality/value The study contributes to developing leadership and engagement theory by examining a previously unexplored mediator – person-job fit – in a neglected cultural setting. This study promises to open new research avenues in this area.

Transformational leadership and employee engagement in Trinidad’s service sector

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Tristen Balwant ◽  
Rehaana Mohammed ◽  
Riann Singh
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Supervisor Support ◽  
Service Organizations ◽  
Job Resources ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: investigate job resources as a moderator in the relationship between transformational leadership and employee engagement in service sector organizations, and investigate the relative importance of each dimension of job resources in relation to employee engagement. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative data were collected using a survey design for which 187 employees responded. These employees were sourced from retail stores across ten shopping malls located in Trinidad. Findings Findings from a hierarchical multiple regression supported the first two hypotheses and showed that transformational leadership was positively related to employee engagement and job resources moderated the relationship between transformational leadership and employee engagement. However, findings from structural equation modeling did not support the third hypothesis because supervisor support was negatively related to employee engagement. Practical implications Implications for service organizations include the provision of adequate job resources so that the effect of transformational leadership on employee engagement can be realized. Specifically, organizations must provide job control to employees, promote free access to information, create an innovative climate and develop a supportive work climate. Instead of focusing on the job resource of supervisor support, service organizations may need to build an environment that stimulates coworker support. Originality/value This study not only adds to the limited body of research on organizational leadership in emerging markets, but also contributes to the field of organizational behavior by showing an important condition (i.e. job resources) under which the relationship between transformational leadership and employee engagement varies and unraveling the dimensions of job resources in relation to employee engagement.

Relationship between leader’s empathic disposition and authorization of idiosyncratic deals

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 370-387
Author(s):  
Bramhani Rao ◽  
Sambashiva Rao Kunja
Keyword(s):  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empathic Concern ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Idiosyncratic Deals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Schedule Flexibility ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between two sub-dimensions of a leader’s empathy (perspective-taking and empathic-concern) and successful authorization of idiosyncratic deals (developmental, location flexibility and schedule flexibility i-deals). Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling was conducted on the cross-sectional data collected from 307 managers working in software development and support companies located in major cities in India. Findings While empathic-concern is positively related to successful authorization of both developmental and flexibility i-deals, perspective-taking related positively to authorization of developmental i-deals and showed no significant relationship with flexibility i-deals. Research limitations/implications The study reiterates the importance of empathy in modern workplaces and encourages managers to be conscious of their intelligence, as well as emotions, while participating in negotiations at the workplace. Originality/value The paper relates i-deals to sub-dimensions of empathy which is a previously unexplored antecedent to i-deals.

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