Rethinking Entrepreneurial Leadership

PurposeConstructed upon a knowledge-based view, the purpose of this paper aims to empirically examine the entrepreneurial leadership impact as knowledge management enabler on knowledge management processes and knowledge management processes on project success. The study further ascertains the mediating role of knowledge worker satisfaction among knowledge management processes and project success.Design/methodology/approachUsing the data collected from 302 project workers from the software industry, China. The research used structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the hypothesis relationships using smart-PLS 3.2.9.FindingsThe outcome of the study reveals that entrepreneurial leadership has a substantial significant impact on knowledge management processes, and knowledge management processes influence project success via knowledge worker satisfaction as a mediator both directly and indirectly. Moreover, the study found partial mediation of knowledge worker satisfaction between knowledge management processes and project success.Practical implicationsThe current research identifies that entrepreneurial leadership may play a role in fostering knowledge management processes in project-based organizations (e.g. software industry) that can use the knowledge management processes to increase their chances of project success. More broadly, the current study contributes to the entrepreneurial leadership, knowledge management processes, knowledge worker satisfaction and project success existing literature and strengthens the relationship and suggest that how project manager's value knowledge worker satisfaction and help organizations gain competitive advantage and project success.Originality/valueAlthough there is an increased significance of knowledge management in the software industry, there is a lack of research that examines the enabling factors and outcomes of knowledge management practices. The present study is one of the first studies to ascertain the relationship of entrepreneurial leadership, knowledge management processes, knowledge worker satisfaction and project success. This is one of the initial researches that not only empirically examines the interrelationships among these variables but also enlighten insights into the current literature by instantaneous investigation of the mediating role of knowledge worker satisfaction.

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Study of Pakistan manufacturing workers shows entrepreneurial leadership is the key to developing creativity

Human Resource Management International Digest ◽

10.1108/hrmid-09-2021-0198 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Keyword(s):

Psychological Empowerment ◽

Manufacturing Sector ◽

Psychological Safety ◽

Time Interval ◽

Entrepreneurial Leadership ◽

Employee Creativity ◽

Content Type ◽

Entrepreneurial Skills ◽

Final Sample ◽

Training Programmes

Purpose The main was to investigate the effect of entrepreneurial leadership on employee creativity and the mediating influence of psychological empowerment and psychological safety. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from the manufacturing sector in Pakistan, including textile, chemical and automobile industries. Questionnaires had three parts, one for managers and two for employees. The researchers collected data in three phases with a one-month time interval. First, employees rated statements about entrepreneurial leadership behaviours. Then, employees rated statements about psychological empowerment and psychological safety. Finally, managers rated statements related to employees’ creativity. The final sample comprised of 54 leaders and 280 employees. Findings Results showed that entrepreneurial leadership inspired employee creativity. In addition, psychological empowerment and psychological safety mediated the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership and employee creativity. Originality/value The study has practical implications. Organizations should hire managers with the entrepreneurial skills to inspire creativity. Leaders should also stress the value of the employee’s work by sharing organisational goals, as well as directing employees when tasks are complex. Meanwhile, organizations need to develop training programmes to help managers to improve their leadership skills. Entrepreneurial leaders can inspire employees by modelling behaviours, which will be psychologically empowering and ensure employees feel secure enough to be creative.

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