Transactional leadership and dynamic capabilities: the mediating effect of regulatory focus

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 2284-2306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Xu ◽  
Xiaohong Wang

Purpose The mechanism of leadership’s impact on dynamic capabilities has aroused widespread interest, but few studies focus on transactional leadership, especially empirical research by micro foundations in the R&D departments from collaborative innovation alliances. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the mechanism of transactional leadership affects dynamic capabilities based on the mediating effect of regulatory focus. Design/methodology/approach In order to better illustrate the role of transactional leadership on dynamic capabilities, the authors introduced regulatory focus as a mediator based on previous research. A sample of 245 dyads comprised of full-time employees and their immediate supervisors was collected from the innovation teams of industry-university alliances through questionnaires in China and analyzed via hierarchical regression method. Non-response bias and endogeneity testing were also conducted to confirm the validity of the findings. Findings Contingency-reward behavior promotes the development of employee sensing and seizing capability. Management-by-exception promotes the development of employee reconfiguration capability. Promotion focus positively mediates the relationship between contingency-reward and sensing-seizing capability. Prevention focus positively mediates the relationship between management-by-exception and sensing-seizing capability. In addition, management-by-exception is also positively related to sensing capability and promotion focus is positively related to reconfiguration capability. Originality/value This paper confirmed different dimensions of transactional leadership favor different dimensions of dynamic capabilities based on different dimensions of regulatory focus, which enriches the theory of strategic leadership and dynamic capabilities, and is conducive to the management of collaborative innovation in technological innovation alliances.

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Zivnuska ◽  
K. Michele Kacmar ◽  
Matthew Valle

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the mechanisms underlying prevention-focus and promotion-focus, two distinct dimensions of regulatory focus undertaken to fulfill different goals. The authors explore distinct triggers (mindfulness and leader-member exchange (LMX)) and outcomes (role overload and burnout) of each. Design/methodology/approach The model is grounded in regulatory focus theory (Higgins, 1997), and is tested with data collected at two times from 206 full-time workers. Findings Findings revealed mindfulness was positively related to prevention- and promotion-focus, while LMX was positively related to only promotion-focus. Prevention-focus mediated the relationship between mindfulness and role overload and burnout, while promotion-focus mediated the relationship between both mindfulness and LMX and role overload, but not burnout. Originality/value This research expands the nomological network describing individual and dyadic antecedents to regulatory focus. It also explores the nature of the relationships between regulatory focus and career management consequences, and may allow us to offer useful advice for practicing managers trying to understand employee career trajectories.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amlan Haque ◽  
Mario Fernando ◽  
Peter Caputi

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating effect of employee turnover intentions (ETI) on the relationship between perceived human resource management (PHRM) and presenteeism. The notion of presenteeism is described as coming to work when unwell and unable to work with full capacity.Design/methodology/approachUsing social exchange theory and structured equation modelling, hypotheses were tested using responses from 200 full-time Australian employees.FindingsThe results show that employees’ PHRM significantly influenced presenteeism and ETI. As predicted, PHRM negatively influenced presenteeism and ETI positively influenced presenteeism. The direct influence of PHRM on presenteeism was fully mediated by ETI.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests that organisations expecting to address presenteeism by promoting PHRM may experience an adverse result when employees conceal turnover intentions.Social implicationsForm the perspective of social exchange, this study focuses on ETI as a mediating variable and sheds light on employees’ hidden attitudes about their jobs to explain how PHRM can influence presenteeism in Australia. Consequently, the findings should help both organisations and employees to identify ways that PHRM can reduce presenteeism.Originality/valueThis paper examines the unique meditational role of ETI in the relationship between PHRM and presenteeism, which is an area of inquiry that has not been fully examined in the literature of HRM. In addition, it examines presenteeism among Australian employees in relation to PHRM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1813-1826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valter Afonso Vieira ◽  
Valter da Silva Faia ◽  
James Boles ◽  
Bruno Rafael Marioti ◽  
Rita Cassia Pereira

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a theoretical model that posits locomotion-assessment ambidextrous orientation as predictor of salesperson acquisition–retention ambidexterity, which as a consequence increases sales. The authors drawing on regulatory focus theory and self-regulatory for this propose. Design/methodology/approach Salespeople involved in the study represent different firms selling a wide variety of food and household products to a wholesaler, which resells them to supermarket chains. The authors collected data from 231 industrial salespeople. Findings First, salesperson assessment focus amplified locomotion’s effect on acquisition–retention ambidexterity. Second, salespeople increased their performance by implementing an acquisition–retention ambidextrous orientation that balances prospecting for new customers and growing existing customers. Third, findings revealed a mediating effect of ambidextrous orientation on the relationship between regulatory mode and sales performance. Finally, outcomes supported the conditional moderated-mediated effect of regulatory mode in explaining performance through ambidextrous orientation. Practical implications Results suggest that salespeople need to equalize their dual orientations in a complementary way to elaborate their selling strategies according to each customer. For example, in an unbalanced orientation, putting high levels of assessment into a sales encounter can reduce the effective and efficient use of time in interacting with customers. Originality/value The authors further illustrate the importance of using both locomotion and assessment in attaining sales goals (Pierro et al. 2013). This synergistic effect is known as the complementary hypothesis (Pierro et al., 2006a, 2006b). Each dimension complements the other and has a moderated-mediated effect on performance through acquisition–retention ambidexterity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 346-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongzheng Qu ◽  
Wen Wu ◽  
Fangcheng Tang ◽  
Haijian Si ◽  
Yuhuan Xia

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to advance and test a new construct, harmony voice. Furthermore, according to the social influence theory, the relationship betweenzhongyong, an essential Confucian orientation mode and voice behavior, and the moderating role of coworker’s regulatory focus (promotion focus and prevention focus) has been examined.Design/methodology/approachA field study has been designed to test our hypotheses. We used samples of 291 employee–coworker dyads from a variety of organizations in China to test this study’s hypotheses.FindingsThe results of this empirical study show thatzhongyongis positively related to harmony voice. Coworkers’ promotion focus strengthens the positive effect ofzhongyongon harmony voice, and coworkers’ prevention focus weakens the positive effect ofzhongyongon harmony voice.Research limitations/implicationsTraditionally defined voice and harmony voice might cause different risks to the voicer. However, how and what kinds of risks may be differently caused by these two types of voice behaviors have not been examined in this study. Future empirical research can explore the different effects of traditionally defined voice and harmony voice.Practical implicationsManagers responsible for managing Chinese employees should notice the difference in some important ways of thinking between Easterners and Westerners. Specifically,zhongyongmay direct people to express issues related to work in ways that are different from those of their Western counterparts. Harmony voice can benefit the Chinese organization without disrupting organizational development.Social implicationsBy examining the relationship betweenzhongyongand harmony voice, we contribute to identifying antecedents of voice by using an emic research perspective.Originality/valueWe made significant theoretical contributions to voice literature. We developed the construct of harmony voice, and we examined the relationship betweenzhongyongand voice.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Peng ◽  
Yu Song ◽  
Guangtao Yu

Scholars have widely acknowledged that proactive career behavior is essential for individuals to proactively build their careers, as well as facilitate positive career outcomes. However, there are still many questions about how to activate proactive career behavior. In the current study, we consider whether, how and when regulatory focus of individuals would evoke their proactive career behavior. Based on career construction theory, we utilized the career adaptability framework to develop and test the mediating effect of individual regulatory focus on proactive career behavior through career adaptability. Moreover, we further proposed that job embeddedness plays a contingency role in moderating the extent to which regulatory focus contributes to proactive career behavior with the mediation of career adaptability differently and uniquely. Using a sample of 247 participants and collecting data in three waves, we found that the promotion focus of employees positively influences their proactive career behavior through the mediation of career adaptability. Furthermore, the indirect effect of promotion focus on proactive career behavior via career adaptability was moderated by the dichotomy of job embeddedness of individuals respectively and differently. Specifically, the positive relationship between promotion focus and proactive career behavior via the mediation of career adaptability was strengthened by the on-the-job embeddedness of employees, whereas the relationship was weakened by their off-the-job embeddedness. The overall findings broaden our understanding in terms of the underlying mechanism of proactive career behavior, suggesting that the promotion focus of individuals fosters proactive career behavior via career adaptability, and on-the-job and off-the-job embeddedness as contingency factors alter the effect of career adaptability.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Korhan Arun ◽  
Saniye Yildirim Ozmutlu

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how the mediating effect of strategic management impacts the relationship between dynamic capabilities and firm performance concerning environmental munificence in 3rd party logistics (3PL) firms operating in Turkey.Design/methodology/approachVariance-based structural equation modeling algorithm and correlation analysis were applied to survey data obtained from (n = 482) a top manager from 3PL companies.FindingsResults revealed that dynamic capabilities were a strong predictor for organizational performance, environmental munificence also emerges as a key predictor for dynamic capabilities and strategic management, and strategic management fully mediates the link between dynamic capabilities and organizational performance, suggesting that they function as substitutes in affecting performance outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper provides empirical evidence of the relationship between the dynamic capability adaptation, strategic management, environment and performance of 3PL firms. As a limitation, the results are based on survey research with a limited sample size.Practical implicationsOrganizations should manage not only dynamism but also the scarcity of environmental resources found to be significant on both dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Additionally, in the logistics sector, managers should focus on the big picture while they empower and lead capable followers to transform this strategic view into operational-level changes.Originality/valueDepending on the relationships between constructs, studying environmental munificence is a different topic than the dynamic environment concept in the effectiveness of dynamic capabilities of 3PL firms. As well as dynamic capabilities at the level of individual and strategic management relationship on organization performance are confirmed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 517-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamariah Najmi ◽  
Abdul Rahman Kadir ◽  
Muh. Isa Ansari Kadir

Purpose This study aims to examine and assess the effect of knowledge management and strategic leadership on performance of hospitals by using variables’ mediating effect of dynamic capability. Design/methodology/approach The population included in this study are all the elements of leadership, i.e. both structural and functional leaders at the four hospitals in Makassar [the central government (Dr Wahidin Sudiro Husodo), Regional General Hospital belonging to the Provincial Government of South Sulawesi (Hospital Labuang Baji and hospitals Hajj) and government hospitals (hospitals belonging Makassar City Government)]. The sample size resulting from the analysis tools included approximately 100 respondents. This research used both structural, i.e. structural equation modeling (SEM), and Sobel tests for assessing the mediation effects. Findings First, dynamic capabilities as a mediation variable in relationship between the knowledge management and performance of hospitals, indicates that higher knowledge management will result in improved hospital performance, if the mediated dynamic capability was also higher. Second, dynamic capabilities as the mediation in the relationship between strategic leadership and hospital performance indicates that a higher strategic leadership will lead to improved hospital performance, if the mediated dynamic capability was also higher. Originality/value The results of previous studies on knowledge management in public sector organizations were not sufficiently clear. Moreover, the study of knowledge management in the health services industry also received less attention from previous researchers. This research attempts to fill the gap further by examining the influence of knowledge management on organizational dynamic capability and organizational performance of hospitals. The presence of the mediating variable dynamic capability also differentiates this study from previous studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 2308-2324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fu Yang ◽  
Jing Qian ◽  
Jun Liu

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between servant leadership and customer service behaviors by probing the mediating role of promotion focus and the moderating role of internal locus of control.Design/methodology/approachThe authors hypothesized an indirect relationship between servant leadership and customer service behaviors through promotion focus. Also, the authors predicted that the positive relationship between servant leadership and promotion focus would be stronger for employees with low internal locus of control. The authors tested the theoretical model with data gathered across two phases over three months from 280 supervisor-subordinate dyads.FindingsResults indicated that servant leadership was positively related to customer service behaviors via promotion focus. Results also showed that internal locus of control moderated the relationship between servant leadership and promotion focus, such that the relationship was stronger for employees low on internal locus of control. Furthermore, this moderated mediated model was supported. As predicted, the indirect effect was stronger when internal locus of control was low.Research limitations/implicationsThis study extends the regulatory focus theory to the service context to investigate how and when servant leadership enhances customer service behaviors. The authors suggested promotion focus as a key mediating mechanism and revealed internal locus of control as a boundary condition for the effectiveness of servant leadership.Originality/valueThis study highlights the importance role of promotion focus in fostering customer service behaviors and provides novel theoretical insight regarding when servant leadership enhances customer service behaviors.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afzal Izzaz Zahari ◽  
Norhayati Mohamed ◽  
Jamaliah Said ◽  
Fauziah Yusof

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic had brought drastic economic, social and technological changes in society. The drastic changes and uncertainty in the environment had forced various industries to evolve effectively to cope with the unexpected change and subsequently bounce back to regain business success. For instance, private higher learning institutions face steep challenges due to the shortfall of organisational capabilities. The study aims to examine the role of leadership capabilities and organisational resilience in regaining organisational success among higher private learning institutions in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachAccording to the dynamic capabilities theory, organisational resilience and leadership capabilities are among the highest order of indicators for organisational success. Subsequently, this study examines the mediating role of leadership capabilities on the relationship between organisational resilience on organisational performance. The dynamic capabilities-based framework was tested using the structural equation modelling technique with the use of partial least squares approach. Data were analysed using 120 responses.FindingsBased on the 120-questionnaire survey received, this study found that organisational resilience and leadership capabilities contribute significantly to the performance of private higher learning institutions. In addition, this study found strong support for the mediating role of leadership capabilities to promote performance. The findings have both theoretical and practical implications for post-disaster organisation resilience development.Research limitations/implicationsThe work focuses on values that would have an impact towards organisational performance, which is an important factor of survival in an unpredictable environment. The findings are limited by the indicated constraints used in this study.Practical implicationsOrganisational survival techniques would provide managers, owners and leaders effective techniques that can be implemented to extend and improve the organisation's life cycle. The focus on organisational resilience and leadership factors would greatly improve the overall sustainability and performance of the organisation.Originality/valueThe study contributed by showing the importance, use and interaction needed from organisational resilience and leadership capabilities for them to survive when there is a sudden change in the environment. The timing and uniqueness of the data during the pandemic illustrates how organisations can survive with high levels of weightage towards resilience and leadership. This research is different from other studies as it had examined the impact of values and resilience and leadership in organisations.


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