Does humility of project manager affect project success? Confirmation of moderated mediation mechanism

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mudassar Ali ◽  
Zhang Li ◽  
Maqsood Haider ◽  
Salim Khan ◽  
Qaiser Mohi Ud Din

Purpose The philosophy of the conservation resource theory, this paper aims to evaluate the relationship between humble leadership on project success by integrating the mediating role of psychological empowerment and the interacting effect of top management support on the direct relationship (humble leadership and project success), as well as indirect relationships through psychological empowerment. Design/methodology/approach Time lag data were gained from 337 persons working in the project-based organization across the information technology industry. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used in this study. Findings By using the structural equation modelling method, the confirmatory factor analysis verified the uniqueness of the variable used in this research. The outcomes exhibited that humble leadership raised project success both directly and indirectly through mediation (psychological empowerment). Furthermore, Top management support was expected to have a moderating effect on the direct but not on the indirect relationship (via psychological empowerment). Originality/value This study demonstrates how top management support is essential for the project manager and project team members for the successful execution of the project. Particularly, minimal empirical research examines the interacting effect of top management support on humble leadership and employee psychological empowerment.

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mudassar Ali ◽  
Zhang Li ◽  
Salim Khan ◽  
Syed Jamal Shah ◽  
Rizwan Ullah

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the impact of humble leadership on project success. The authors propose that such an effect is mediated by team-building, and top management support moderates the direct relationship (humble leadership and project success) as well as an indirect relationship through team-building.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 337 individuals employed in the information technology sector of Pakistan. A two-step approach consisting confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling was used for analysis. To examine conditional direct and indirect effects, the authors utilized model 8 in PROCESS.FindingsThe results showed that humble leadership is positively related to project success. Furthermore, team-building partially mediates the relationship between humble leadership and project success. Moreover, top management support was anticipated to have a moderating effect on the direct and indirect link (via team-building) between humble leadership and project success.Originality/valueDrawing on the conservation of resources theory, this study found that how humble leadership is vital for project success, and thus, extends the utility of the concept of humble leadership to the project literature.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 340-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Hudnurkar ◽  
Suhas Ambekar ◽  
Sonali Bhattacharya

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the deficiencies in Six Sigma project capability and empirically validating its impact on project success. Design/methodology/approach Deficiencies are identified from literature focusing on Six Sigma challenges or barriers. The study used a survey approach by circulating questionnaires to 400 Six Sigma professionals from 40 multinational organisations. The conceptual model is composed of 16 items measuring five constructs for hypothesis testing. Furthermore, structural equation modelling was used to identify the relationship between Six Sigma project capability deficiency and project success. Findings The findings of the study suggest that inadequate top management support, inadequate resources and change management and inadequate quality maturity form Six Sigma project capability deficiency and affect project success. Research limitations/implications The study uses resource-based view to understand the deficiencies in Six Sigma project capability and their impact on project success. The study confirms that organisational capabilities in implementing Six Sigma affect the success of the projects. Practical implications The results of this study reveal that inadequate top management support, inadequate quality maturity of the organisation and inadequate resources and change management result into a deficiency in Six Sigma project capability. Quality managers in manufacturing and service organisations should attempt to improve these capabilities to achieve competitive advantage. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by exploring the capability outlook of Six Sigma. The study attempts to fill the gap in Six Sigma literature by providing a structural model for understanding Six Sigma project capability deficiency and its impact on Six Sigma project success.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 925-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Youssef ◽  
Washika Haak-Saheem ◽  
Eyad M. Youssef

Purpose Knowledge sharing behaviour is becoming one of the main priorities in organizations operating in emerging economies, as knowledge sharing behaviour may impact their competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of: openness and trust; top management support; and the reward system on knowledge sharing behaviour. In addition, the paper investigates how knowledge sharing behaviour impacts firm’s competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach The analyses in this paper were based on data from more than 230 companies operating in five industries in an emerging economy in the Gulf area. Structural equation modelling (SEM) methodology was used to test the impact of the three independent latent variables of openness and trust, top management support and the reward system on the knowledge sharing behaviour as well as the impact of the later on firm’s competitiveness. Findings Exploratory factor as well as confirmatory factor analysis were used to assess the five dimensions of knowledge sharing behaviour and firm’s competitiveness. SEM was used to test the four main hypotheses in this study and to assess the structural relationships among these five latent variables. There was a moderate relationship between the knowledge sharing behaviour and the three independent latent variables of openness and trust; top management support; and the reward system. There was a strong positive association between knowledge sharing behaviour and firm’s competitiveness. Practical implications For academics, the paper offers an opportunity to further study knowledge sharing behaviour in other emerging economies. Academics who are interested in examining this issue further may extend our study in many directions. For practitioners, our findings should motivate practitioners to place emphasis on top management support, openness and trust and the reward system to create a proper culture for knowledge creation and sharing. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first attempt in its purpose and design to study knowledge sharing behaviour in multiple industries in an emerging economy such as that of Saudi Arabia.


2014 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 526-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taiwen Feng ◽  
Gang Zhao

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of top management support (TMS) and inter-organizational relationships (IORs) on external involvement (EI), and their differences across different ownerships. Design/methodology/approach – To test the research hypotheses, structural equation modeling was conducted using data from 176 Chinese manufacturing firms. Findings – TMS enhances relationship with customers and relationship with suppliers. Relationship with customers increases the degree of customer involvement, while relationship with suppliers increases the degree of supplier involvement. In addition, TMS improves customer involvement while does not improve supplier involvement directly. A further analysis reveals that the relationship between TMS and supplier involvement is partially mediated by relationship with suppliers in Chinese-controlled firms, whereas it is completely mediated by relationship with suppliers in foreign-controlled firms. Moreover, the effect of relationship with suppliers on supplier involvement is stronger in foreign-controlled firms than in Chinese-controlled firms. Research limitations/implications – This study employed perceptual data from a single respondent in each firm. In addition, the data used in this study were collected from one side of the dyad: the manufacturers. Practical implications – Both Chinese-controlled and foreign-controlled firms should get support from top management and develop close relationship with customers and suppliers to improve EI. Originality value – This study extends our knowledge in the field by examining how TMS and prior history of IORs can improve the degree of EI.


2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamila Usmanova ◽  
Daoping Wang ◽  
Eli Sumarliah ◽  
Fauziyah Fauziyah

PurposeThis study aims to examine the links between company performance (CP) and supply chain (SC) orientation considering halal small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kazakhstan. The SC orientation framework integrates three aspects to determine CP, i.e. credibility, commitment and top management support.Design/methodology/approachHalal SMEs were reviewed; 271 valid responses were obtained and scrutinised, employing the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique.FindingsThe credibility of SC stakeholders performs the main impact on the CP of halal SMEs in Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, commitment and top management support show fewer influences, although they significantly impact CP.Originality/valueThis study confirms the relationships between SC orientation and CP from the perspective of halal SMEs. The social capital theory was applied to explain these relationships. It is the initial attempt to investigate such relationships in a post-Soviet Union country.


Author(s):  
Riaz Ahmed ◽  
Noor Azmi bin Mohamed

Purpose Literature reveals that there is a paucity of instruments to measure multidimensional top management support (TMS). The multidimensionality and the complexity of the TMS cannot be reflected by a single-dimensional construct. The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate an instrument for the measurement of multidimensional TMS. Design/methodology/approach In this cross-sectional study, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to check the validity and model fitness based on sample data collected from the PMI community. Ordinary least square and structural equation modeling techniques were used to test the research hypotheses and validate multidimensional TMS. Findings The findings revealed a significant positive correlation among all dimensions of top management and their significant influence on project success, especially on project efficiency and team dimensions. Research limitations/implications Based on the existing knowledge through a coherent and refined process, the development and validation of a top management support questionnaire (TMSQ) made a significant contribution to theories and research methods. Practical implications Multidimensional TMS provides an opportunity to ensure provision of apt assistance throughout the implementation of projects for improving organizational performance across the industries. Originality/value This study targeted a sample size of 300 to develop and validate an instrument, which is in line with previous research studies on the development and validation of a reliable instrument. To operationalize TMSQ, this study adopted an online survey and received 208 responses (69 percent) from the PMI community.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 513-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jurka Rahikkala ◽  
Ville Leppänen ◽  
Jukka Ruohonen ◽  
Johannes Holvitie

Purpose – A cost estimate is considered to have a high impact on software project success. Because of this, different methodologies for creating an accurate estimate have been studied over decades. Many methodologies produce accurate results, when used properly. However, software projects still suffer from inaccurate estimates. The disparity may result from organisational hindrances. This paper focuses on top management support (TMS) for software cost estimation (SCE). The purpose of this paper is to identify current practices and attitudes of top management involvement in SCE, and to analyse the relationship between these two and project success. Design/methodology/approach – A list of 16 TMS practices for SCE has been developed. A survey was conducted to capture the frequency of use and the experienced importance of support practices. Data has been collected from 114 software professionals in Finland. Correlations between the frequency of use, attitudes and project success were analysed. Findings – Top management invests a significant amount of attention in SCE. The extent of use and experienced importance do not correlate strongly with each other or project success. Research limitations/implications – The results may lack generalisability. Researchers are encouraged to validate the results with further studies. Practical implications – Software professionals invite senior managers to participate in SCE. A list of practices for participating is provided. Originality/value – This paper suggests a list of 16 TMS practices for SCE. The paper also reports on the extent of use and experienced importance of practices, and the correlations between these two and project success.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 839-866
Author(s):  
Cristóbal Sánchez-Rodríguez ◽  
Angel Rafael Martínez-Lorente ◽  
David Hemsworth

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze e-procurement in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and its relationship with top management support, IT obstacles and strategic purchasing and the effect of e-procurement on performance (procurement performance and business performance). Design/methodology/approach The hypotheses were tested using a sample of 199 managers from SMEs in manufacturing. Findings The results indicated a significant relationship between e-procurement in SMEs and top management support, IT obstacles and strategic purchasing. Similarly, the authors found a positive relationship between e-procurement and procurement process performance and business performance. Practical implications The findings stress to SME managers, the need to pay attention to top management support, IT obstacles and strategic purchasing when implementing e-procurement. Similarly, it provides evidence of the benefits of e-procurement on procurement process performance and business performance. Originality/value This study fills a gap in the literature regarding e-procurement in SMEs and its impact on performance. SMEs constitute a significant part of today’s economies and e-procurement can significantly impact the performance of these organizations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 151-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvador Bueno ◽  
M. Dolores Gallego

Purpose Top management support (TMS) is considered as a critical factor for the success of information systems (ISs) projects. The literature shows that TMS has a positive impact on achieving success in ISs’ projects in different aspects. However, the enabling factors for TMS in complex ISs’ projects have barely been tested, something which this study aims to rectify. Design/methodology/approach This study has designed a research model based on structural equation modelling (SEM) with the intention of analysing the perception of IS end users regarding the effect on TMS of the following factors: technological complexity and training and organizational communication. The application of the study has focused on an enterprise resource planning–open source software (ERP-OSS) environment. Findings The findings show how end users have a perception that organizational communication and training have a positive relation with TMS. Based on these findings, the authors have suggested several practical considerations. Research limitations/implications There are two limitations to this study. First, this study is based on the perception of complex IS/IT users. It would be interesting to add the perception of top managers to provide more solid findings. The second limitation is that this study has not suggested any additional potential factors which could affect TMS. Practical implications First, this article provides a study of the key role of TMS when an organization needs to implement a complex IS/IT. Second, organizations must develop mechanisms for increasing training and communication relating to the new complex IS/IT projects. Finally, the complexity of an IS/IT project does not constitute an enabling factor incentivizing TMS and should therefore not be a determining factor in increasing TMS within an organization selecting an IS/IT. Originality/value This study contributes to advancing theory in the field of TMS in information systems projects.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Man Fung Lo ◽  
Feng Tian ◽  
Peggy Mei Lan Ng

Purpose Knowledge sharing, the most important process in knowledge management, enables knowledge-intensive organizations to foster innovations and to gain competitiveness. Universities, the best contemporary embodiments of knowledge-intensive organizations, nowadays face fiercer competition in the changing world. Knowledge sharing is the key for academic departments to gain competitive advantages through innovation. However, limited studies examined the relationships between top management support, knowledge sharing and affiliation and trust. Based on the literature review, this study developed a research model which aims to examine the relationship between top management support and knowledge sharing, and the mediating role played by affiliation and trust. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was conducted in eight universities in Hong Kong. Data gathered from 109 professoriate staff (including chairs, professors and [research] associate/assistant professors) were used to test the four hypotheses in the research model with partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The results showed that top management support has a positive impact on affiliation and trust, and that affiliation and trust also have a positive impact on knowledge sharing. However, this study showed an insignificant linkage between top management support and knowledge sharing. Therefore, this study confirmed the mediating role played by affiliation and trust. Practical implications Based on the results, this study provided recommendations on how academic management and knowledge management consultants increase the faculty members’ affiliation and trust, for instance, mentoring, performance appraisal system, social interactions and communication pathways. Originality/value The findings of this study contribute to the literature in two ways. First, affiliation and trust are two interplayed elements of team climate that should be considered together. Second, this study validates affiliation and trust as a full mediator between top management support and knowledge sharing.


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