Exploring the Nexus Between Knowledge-Oriented Leadership and Employees’ Innovative Behaviour in SMEs: The Moderating Role of Organisational Learning Culture

Abstract

Recent research has focused on employees' innovative behaviour and the effects of various leadership styles in fostering innovation in organisations. However, little attention has been paid to examining the direct effect of knowledge-based leadership (KOL) on employee innovative behaviour (EIB). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to conduct an empirical investigation into the relationship between knowledge-oriented leadership and employee innovative behaviour, as well as the moderating role of an organisational learning culture (OLC). Furthermore, this study proposes that an organisational learning culture is crucial to moderating the relationship between leaders and employees, whilst aiming to provide a better understanding of the importance of moderating the relationship between knowledgeoriented leadership and employees' innovative behaviour. The responses of 289 employees in Jordanian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were collected from an online survey, and then the study's data was analysed by using structural equation modelling. The findings deduced by the data ultimately demonstrated that knowledge-oriented leadership has a direct and positive effect on employee innovative behaviour in Jordanian SMEs. Also, the results confirm that an organizational learning culture moderated the influence of knowledge-oriented leadership on employee innovative behaviour. The findings provide fresh and deeper insights into the direct influence that knowledge-oriented leadership has on employees' innovative behaviour in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Otel İşletmelerinde Bilgi Odaklı Liderliğin Örgütsel Öğrenmeye Etkisi: Destinasyonlar Arası Bir Karşılaştırma (The Effect of Knowledge-Oriented Leadership on Organizational Learning at Hotel Enterprises: A Cross-Destination Comparison)

“…Örgütlerde doğru yeteneklere ve işlevlere sahip liderlerin seçilmesi ile öğrenme süreci ve bilginin kullanımı yoğun olarak desteklenebilmektedir (Sarin & McDermott, 2003: 726) JOTAGS, 2023, 11(2) 1544 2004; Yukl, 2009;Zacher & Rosing, 2015) liderliğin ÖÖ sürecindeki rolü farklı yönleri ile vurgulanmıştır. Bununla birlikte ilgili literatürde, liderliğin özel bir alanı olan bilgi odaklı liderliğin örgütsel öğrenme üzerindeki etkisini açıklayan çalışma (Hashmi vd., 2021;Al Hawamdeh, 2022;Men& Jia, 2021) JOTAGS, 2023, 11(2) 1549 testine yönelik oluşturulan regresyon modeli (Model 1) analiz için uygundur (F: 209,225, p<0,05). Matematiksel ifadesi "BDÖ = 2,947 + 0,500 x BoL" şeklinde olan Model 1'de BoL davranışları BDÖ toplam varyansının yaklaşık %34'ünü oluşturmaktadır.…”

“…For instance, Berson et al (2006) These studies have evaluated the role of leadership in the OL process in general, and the number of studies focusing on a specific leadership style is negligible. Although the number of studies (Hashmi et al, 2021;Al Hawamdeh, 2022;Men& Jia, 2021) mentioning the effect of knowledge-based leadership, which is a particular area of leadership, on organizational learning is rather limited. Furthermore, no study discusses the subject within the context of hotel businesses.…”