Enhancing the impact of transformational leadership and team-building on project success: the moderating role of empowerment climate

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shazia Nauman ◽  
Ata Ul Musawir ◽  
Hina Munir ◽  
Imran Rasheed

PurposeThis study examines the mechanisms and conditions that influence how transformational leadership affects project success through the lens of social information processing theory.Design/methodology/approachA dual-stage moderated mediation model was proposed wherein the effect of transformational leadership on project success is mediated by team building, and empowering climate moderates the direct and indirect effects at both the first and second stages. The model was tested based on 370 survey responses of project management practitioners from Pakistan's IT industry. The measurement model was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Moderated mediation analyses were conducted using Hayes' PROCESS macro.FindingsThe findings suggest that team-building partially mediates the effect of transformational leadership on project success. Furthermore, the conditional indirect effect of transformational leadership on project success via team-building is strengthened at both the first and second stages at higher levels of empowerment climate.Practical implicationsIt is recommended that project managers and project-intensive organizations should strive to cultivate an empowerment climate to fully realize the beneficial effects of transformational leadership behaviors in enhancing positive team outcomes and, consequently, overall project performance.Originality/valueThis study broadly contributes to the literature on the influence of project managers' leadership styles on project outcomes. Specifically, we elucidate the role of empowerment climate as an important boundary condition that enhances the beneficial effects of transformational leadership. Furthermore, we extend the application of social information processing theory to the context of projects.

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
SuJin Son

PurposeDrawing on social learning theory and social information processing theory, the purpose of this study is to examine how perceived supervisor’s voice behavior relates to employees’ own voice behavior both directly and indirectly through trust in supervisor. In particular, this study also investigates the moderating role of gender in the relationship between trust in supervisor and employee voice behavior. Further, this study proposes that gender moderates the indirect effect of perceived supervisor’s voice behavior on employee voice behavior via trust in supervisor.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed hypothesis was tested by using hierarchical regression analyses and Hayes’ PROCESS macro.FindingsThe results show that perceived supervisor’s voice behavior is positively related to an employee’s own voice behavior and trust in supervisors. In particular, trust in supervisors mediates the relationship between perceived supervisor’s voice behavior and employee’s own voice behavior. Additionally, the relationship between trust in supervisor and employees’ voice behavior was stronger for female employees.Originality/valueThe current study investigates employees’ perception of immediate supervisor’s voice behavior that encourages employees to speak up, thereby providing a more nuanced understanding of the factors that facilitate employee voice behavior. In particular, this study advances the understanding of how and why employees’ perception of supervisors’ voice behavior relates to employees’ voice behavior by examining the mediating and moderating factors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umer Zaman ◽  
Shahid Nawaz ◽  
Sidra Tariq ◽  
Asad Afzal Humayoun

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 560-572
Author(s):  
Jinyun Duan ◽  
Émilie Lapointe ◽  
Yue Xu ◽  
Sarah Brooks

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand better why employees voice. Drawing on social information processing theory and insights derived from the literature on power, the authors suggest that leader–member exchange (LMX) fosters voice by reducing the perceived risk of voicing. The authors further contend that high perceived leader power will strengthen this mediated relationship. Design/methodology/approach The authors relied on a sample of 265 employee-supervisor dyads collected from Chinese organizations to test the study hypotheses. Findings Results indicated that perceived risk of voicing significantly mediated the positive LMX–voice behavior relationship. In addition, perceived leader power strengthened the effect of LMX on voice behavior via perceived risk of voicing. The relationship of LMX to perceived risk of voicing was more negative, and the indirect effect of LMX on voice behavior was more positive when employees perceived that leader power was high. Practical implications Organizations seeking to promote voice behaviors should support leaders to develop high-quality relationships with employees. Organizations should also ensure that leaders are sufficiently empowered to fulfill their roles, and ensure that employees are aware of their leaders’ influence. Originality/value Findings suggest that, in the context of high quality leader–member relationships, employees’ perceptions of their leaders’ power may help to overcome barriers associated with speaking up. Thus, this study helps explain the conditions that encourage employees to voice.


Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Kashif Aslam ◽  
Muhammad Saeed Akhtar ◽  
Muhammad Waheed Akhtar ◽  
Muhammad Asrar-ul-Haq ◽  
Jawad Iqbal ◽  
...  

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to elucidate the social information processing theory, which is extended by the (1) effect of whistleblowing education on whistleblowing intentions, (2) simultaneous examination of the indirect relationship between whistleblowing education and whistleblowing intentions via moral identity and (3) relativism in influencing this mediation.Design/methodology/approachMulti-wave data collected at three internals from bank employees (n = 294) were analyzed to test the proposed model.FindingsResults of the study demonstrate that whistleblowing education favorably influences whistleblowing intentions directly as well as through moral identity. Relativism serves as the buffer in the indirect effects of whistleblowing education on whistleblowing intentions through moral identity attenuating these indirect effects in individuals with dominant relativism level.Originality/valueThis study strives to extend the whistleblowing education and whistleblowing intentions literature by unpacking a moral identity mechanism through which whistleblowing education kindles whistleblowing intention and relativism as boundary condition to attenuate such motivation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan Jiang ◽  
Qinxuan Gu

Purpose – Adopting the social information processing theory and social comparison theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine how abusive supervision and abusive supervisory climate jointly influence salesperson creativity, sales team creativity, and team performance. Design/methodology/approach – The study conducted hierarchical linear modeling and hierarchical regression to analyze the paired data from 102 sales teams comprising 319 salespeople and 102 managers. Findings – At the individual level, abusive supervision had negative effect on salesperson creativity via psychological safety. Abusive supervisory climate played a cross-level moderating role in the relationship between abusive supervision and psychological safety. At the team level, abusive supervisory climate was negatively related to sales team creativity via averaged salesperson creativity and negatively associated with sales team performance through sales team creativity. Originality/value – This study adds to knowledge of how abusive supervision and abusive supervisory climate jointly affect salesperson psychological safety and creativity. It also contributes to abusive supervision and creativity literature by linking abusive supervisory climate and sales team creativity by integrating social information processing theory and social comparison theory.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Yang ◽  
Mingchao Chang ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
Lulu Zhou ◽  
Feng Tian ◽  
...  

Purpose Based on the social information processing theory, the purpose of this study is to propose a conceptualized moderated mediation model for testing the linkage between leader narcissism and employees’ innovative behavior through the mediating effect of employees’ cognitive dependency and the moderating effect of environmental uncertainty between employees’ cognitive dependency and their innovative behavior. Design/methodology/approach In this study, multisource data from 266 employees and their supervisors in 11 large high-tech Chinese companies were collected through a field study and an online survey. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling and bootstrapping. Findings The results of this study show that leader narcissism has a negative impact on employees’ innovative behavior and that employees’ cognitive dependency plays a mediating role between leader narcissism and employees’ innovative behavior. Cognitive dependency and environmental uncertainty play moderated mediation roles between leader narcissism and employees’ innovative behavior. Research limitations/implications In the future, longitudinal research and experimental methods can be used to avoid common method bias. Further studies could allow leaders to evaluate environmental uncertainty and explore the emotional path by which leader narcissism has negative effects on followers’ innovation from social information processing theory. In addition, future studies can explore cognitive dependency more deeply from the perspectives of forced obedience and active worship. Practical implications Organizations should warn leaders to control the dark side of narcissism and minimize environmental uncertainty to reduce barriers to innovation. Originality/value This study constructs the path of the effect of leader narcissism on employees’ innovation through employees’ cognitive dependency in a specific context, which enriches theoretical research on the link between leaders’ traits and employees’ innovative behavior. Along with the finding of leader narcissism’s negative effect on employees’ innovative behavior, this study explores the dark side of leader narcissism in the context of China’s high-tech firms and environmental uncertainty.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiqiang Liu ◽  
Rong Zhou ◽  
Lihua Wei ◽  
Xi Ouyang ◽  
Kong Zhou

Purpose Drawing on social information processing theory and trait activation theory, this study aims to examine the mediating effect of leader narcissism on team radical creativity via team information elaboration and explores the moderating role of inter-team competition. Design/methodology/approach Time-lagged and multisource survey data were collected from 86 team leaders and 409 employees in a Chinese company. Path analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings The results indicated that leader narcissism could impede team radical creativity via team information elaboration. Moreover, the negative indirect effects of leader narcissism on team radical creativity were more pronounced when the inter-team competition was low. Originality/value This study makes contributions to the literature on leader narcissism and team radical creativity by examining the detrimental indirect effects of leader narcissism on team radical creativity via team information. Furthermore, it broadens current literature by investigating the potential positive intervention of inter-team competition on the negative aspects of leader narcissism.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Su-Ying Pan ◽  
Yuquan Li

Purpose This study aims to focus on a relatively unexplored area: single employees’ non-work needs. With social information processing theory as the basis, the authors examine the process whereby a singles-friendly work culture leads to multiple desirable outcomes for single employees. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from 472 single employees working in the hospitality sector in China. A model with three mediating paths was tested using Mplus 7.2 software. Findings The authors found that organization-based self-esteem mediates the relationship between a singles-friendly work culture and emotional exhaustion; procedural justice mediates the relationship between a singles-friendly work culture and organizational commitment and hostility mediate the relationship between a singles-friendly work culture and helping behaviors directed toward coworkers. Practical implications The present study reminds hotel managers that establishing a singles-friendly work culture is a new strategy to retain and attract talented single employees. Originality/value Inspired by the work of Casper et al. (2007), the authors examined the importance of equal employment opportunities for single employees, who are the major workforce in the hotel industry but are often ignored in academic research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussain Ali ◽  
Shuai Chuanmin ◽  
Mansoor Ahmed ◽  
Arshad Mahmood ◽  
Muhammad Khayyam ◽  
...  

This research investigates the impact of transformational leadership (TL) style on project success (PS) in the indirect effect of serial mediation of team-building and teamwork quality (TWQ). A quantitative research approach was used for this study. Data were gathered from 374 professional information system development (ISD) project managers in Pakistan. The hypotheses were tested using regression analysis with bootstrapping. Both team-building and teamwork independently and serially mediate the relationship between the TL and PS of the project managers, respectively. The TL style of the project manager intensifies PS with team-building practices (TBP) and TWQ. The TL boosts TWQ in terms of communication, coordination, and cohesion to achieve a successful project. The findings suggest that TL is associated with PS through serial mediation of team-building and teamwork. No research to date has used this nascent methodology to explore the association between TL and PS.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-127
Author(s):  
Ahmed Mohammed Sayed Mostafa ◽  
Jie Shen

Purpose Drawing on social information processing theory and organisational identity theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine the social and psychological process through which perceived ethical leadership influences employee deviant behaviours towards the organisation. Specifically, a sequential mediation model is developed in which ethical leadership is related to employee perceptions of internal corporate social responsibility (CSR), which, in turn, are related to organisational deviance through organisational engagement. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling was performed to fit the proposed model using multi-source data collected from employees and their supervisors in the Egyptian banking sector. Findings The results support the hypotheses, as perceived internal CSR and organisational engagement sequentially mediate the relationship between perceived ethical leadership and organisational deviance. Practical implications Organisations should emphasise fostering ethical leadership through adopting strategies such as hiring ethical leaders and offering ethics training to current leaders. Organisations should also invest in internal CSR activities and should pay attention to regularly communicating their involvement in CSR initiatives to employees. Originality/value By examining the mediating roles of employee internal CSR perceptions and organisational engagement, this study helps advance our understanding of the social and psychological processes of ethical leadership.


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