Leadership & Organization Development Journal

Lei, Hui; Leaungkhamma, Lathong; Le, Phong Ba

2020 Leadership & Organization Development Journal

doi: 10.1108/lodj-06-2019-0245

This paper aims to investigate the effects of transformational leadership on individuals and organization’s innovation capability via the mediating role of employees' positive psychological capital (Psy-Cap) namely self-efficacy and optimism.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling (SEM) is used to test proposal hypotheses through the empirical data collected from 330 participants at 90 firms in Vietnam.FindingsThe research findings revealed that self-efficacy and optimism significantly mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and innovation capabilities. In addition, self-efficacy has a greater impact on innovation capabilities compared with the effect of optimism.Practical implicationsThe findings highlight the important role of practicing transformational leadership style to nurture and foster both employees' positive psychology sources and firms' innovation capability.Originality/valueThe paper has significantly advanced and deepened our understanding of how transformational leaders connect with employees to nurture and develop one of the most special aspects of human resource in contemporary working environment called employees' positive Psy-Cap for stimulating firm's innovation capabilities.

Javed, Muzhar; Ali, Hafiz Yasir; Asrar-ul-Haq, Muhammad; Ali, Moazzam; Kirmani, Syed Ali Ashiq

2020 Leadership & Organization Development Journal

doi: 10.1108/lodj-07-2019-0329

Drawing on stakeholder theory and contingency theory, this study empirically investigates the relationship between responsible leadership (RL) and each dimension of triple-bottom-line (TBL) performance. Moreover, we tested the mediating effect of corporate reputation (CR) and innovation between RL and TBL performance.Design/methodology/approachPerceptual data were collected from 227 senior-level Pakistani managers using a questionnaire survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the direct and mediating effect hypotheses.FindingsThe results revealed that RL significantly and positively affects each dimension of TBL performance. Further, innovation mediated the relationship between RL and each dimension of TBL performance. However, CR did not mediate the relationship between RL and environmental performance.Originality/valueThis is maiden study to empirically investigate the effect of RL on meso-level outcome. Further, this study would be among the few ones to use TBL as a measure of corporate performance. Moreover, it will be the first study to test the mediating role of CR and innovation in the above-mentioned relationship and will also validate contingency theory.

Han, Seung-Hyun; Oh, Eunjung Grace; Kang, Sung “Pil”

2020 Leadership & Organization Development Journal

doi: 10.1108/lodj-04-2019-0181

Based on the job characteristics theory (Oldham and Hackman, 2010), the authors highlighted the mediating role of job meaningfulness as a critical psychological state. Employees' positive perception of job meaningfulness could maximize organizational positive outcomes based on task orientation and trustful relationship-based satisfying behaviors. The purpose of this paper is to examine the structural relations among transformational leadership, job characteristics, job meaningfulness and task-related job performance. The conceptual model of this paper is developed based on the theoretical foundations for assessing mediating and moderating path relations among the exogenous and endogenous variables.Design/methodology/approachBased on the research questions with literature review, the research framework was developed to show the moderated mediating mechanism of the link between transformational leadership and in-role performance. Data analyses for hypothesis testing were conducted by Hayes' PROCESS macro-based hierarchical regression.FindingsUnderstanding how organizations can optimally design a job based on job characteristics and helping employees maintain psychological states having meaningfulness and responsibility for outcomes are critical. This paper calls attention to how job characteristics and an individual's meaningfulness of work embedded in a given job play a role in influencing job performance.Originality/valueThis study provides a snapshot for examining the job characteristic model on the link between leadership and job performance. By using process analysis (Hayes, 2013), this study examined the moderating role of job characteristics and mediating role of meaningfulness at work in the link of leadership–performance.

Busse, Ronald; Weidner, Georg

2020 Leadership & Organization Development Journal

doi: 10.1108/lodj-05-2019-0224

Environments coined as “VUCA” (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) are hotbeds for new modi operandi in organisations that involve a shift from face-to-face towards distant leadership, as well as from “classical” towards agile organisation principles.Design/methodology/approachAt the same time, digital collaboration tools have found their way into daily business operations. As the above changes arguably leave deep imprints on performance indicators, our work accordingly illuminates potential impacts on employee engagement. Based on a German sample, we conduct a qualitative investigation featuring in-depth interviews.FindingsOur findings indicate a curvilinear inverted (approximate) U-shaped relation between what we dub “leadership richness continuum” (including specific characteristics of leadership, agility, as well as the application of a digital collaboration tool) and engagement.Originality/valueAlthough our work may inspire practicing managers, we also contribute to theory development providing a new theoretical model for employee engagement.

Mysirlaki, Sofia; Paraskeva, Fotini

2020 Leadership & Organization Development Journal

doi: 10.1108/lodj-01-2019-0035

As business is becoming more global, virtual teams are getting increasingly prevalent. The purpose of this paper is to examine virtual team effectiveness by taking a deeper look at the Virtual World Teams (VWTs) of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper investigates the effects of leaders’ emotional intelligence and transformational leadership on virtual team effectiveness, including three sub-factors of team effectiveness: team performance, viability and team member satisfaction. In addition, the indirect effect of emotional intelligence on team effectiveness via transformational leadership was examined. In total, 500 MMOG players that belonged in virtual world teams participated in the study. Hypotheses were tested through a series of multiple linear regression analyses, and one-way ANOVA tests were used to explore the impact of gender on the key factors of team effectiveness.FindingsThe analysis revealed a significant predictive relationship between perceived leader emotional intelligence and virtual team effectiveness sub-factors, mediated by transformational leadership behavior. Further analysis revealed gender differences in players’ perceptions of their leader emotional intelligence, transformational leadership and virtual team effectiveness.Practical implicationsThis paper adds to the literature by revealing important predictors of virtual team effectiveness. These findings suggest implications for research and practice in the fields of Human Resources (HR), Human Resource Development (HRD) and training programs for e-leaders. The results of the analysis based on gender differences also have theoretical and managerial implications.Originality/valueThe study provides evidence that transformational leadership mediates the relationship between leaders’ emotional intelligence and team effectiveness in a virtual team.

Fors Brandebo, Maria

2020 Leadership & Organization Development Journal

doi: 10.1108/lodj-02-2019-0089

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to increased knowledge of destructive leadership in crisis management. The specific research questions are: (1) What types of destructive leadership behaviours can be identified in leaders in crisis management? and (2) Why are these behaviours considered destructive in this context?Design/methodology/approachAbout 21 informants involved in crisis management at regional, local and operational levels in Sweden were interviewed. They were selected since they had recently been involved in severe accidents and/or crises (e.g. terror attacks, forest fires). A grounded theory analysis of interview data yielded two core variables: destructive leadership behaviours, and appraisal: interpretation of leader behaviour.FindingsThe study identified seven different destructive leadership behaviours: four task-related and three relationship-related. Task-related behaviours primarily led to negative consequences for the task/crisis. Relationship-related behaviours have negative consequences for subordinates' job satisfaction, well-being and/or sense of meaningfulness. The paper relates the identified behaviours to existing leadership ideals within crisis management and discusses behaviours that appear to be unique for the crisis management context.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights the fact that great crisis managers are not always good at managing relationships, which may have negative implications for crisis management in the long term.Originality/valueDestructive leadership is a research field that is rapidly expanding. However, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the nature of destructive leadership behaviours and what makes an individual appraise a leader as destructive in crisis management.

Yang, Yongyong; Shi, Wendian; Zhang, Beina; Song, Youming; Xu, Dezhen

2020 Leadership & Organization Development Journal

doi: 10.1108/lodj-05-2019-0225

The purpose of this paper is to explore the structure, implicit attitude and consequences of followers' implicit followership theories in the Chinese cultural context through three studies. Study 1 explores the structure of followers' implicit followership theories. Study 2 examines the implicit attitude of followers towards followers' implicit followership theories. Study 3 verifies the impact of followers' implicit followership theories on the quality of collegial relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe data for study 1 (n = 321) and study 3 (n = 243) were collected through an online self-report questionnaire, and the data for study 2 (n = 30) were collected through the go/no-go association task.FindingsThe structure of followers' implicit followership theories includes two dimensions: positive followership prototypes and negative followership prototypes. Followers' implicit attitudes were more likely to match positive followership prototypes than negative followership prototypes. Positive followership prototypes had a significantly positive impact on the quality of collegial relationships, whereas negative followership prototypes had a significantly negative impact on the quality of collegial relationships.Research limitations/implicationsThe psychology and behaviour of employees can be better understood by exploring followers' implicit followership theories.Practical implicationsEmployees hold a relatively positive implicit attitude towards followers. Therefore, managers should provide positive feedback to improve employees' positive self-cognition so that employees can better serve the organization and better promote its development.Originality/valueThe paper is one of the few studies to explore followers' implicit followership theories in the Chinese cultural context.

Arici, Hasan Evrim; Arasli, Huseyin; Cakmakoglu Arici, Nagihan

2020 Leadership & Organization Development Journal

doi: 10.1108/lodj-06-2019-0250

This multilevel study investigates the effect of employees' perception of nepotism on tolerance to workplace incivility through the mediating role of psychological contract violation and the moderating role of authentic leadership in organizations.Design/methodology/approachUsing time-lagged data from 547 frontline employees working in four- and five-star hotels, this study's hypotheses were analyzed by conducting hierarchical regression analysis and hierarchical linear modelling.FindingsThe findings indicate that non-family members' perception of nepotism triggered perceived tolerance to the uncivil behavior of family members by the management and that this relationship between nepotism perception and tolerance to workplace incivility was mediated by psychological contract violation. In line with expectations, authentic leadership moderated the effect of nepotism perception on tolerance to workplace incivility.Originality/valueThis study is among the first to examine the effects of nepotism perception on tolerance to workplace incivility by focusing on the mediator role of psychological contract violation at the individual level and the moderator role of authentic leadership at the group level.

Mallén Broch, Francisco Fermín; Domínguez Escrig, Emilio; Chiva Gómez, Ricardo; Lapiedra Alcamí, Rafael

2020 Leadership & Organization Development Journal

doi: 10.1108/lodj-03-2019-0127

Based on the upper echelons and organisational identification theories, this paper focuses on the relationship between servant leadership and firm innovativeness, as well as the underlying mechanisms that explain this relationship. More specifically, we analyse the relationship between servant leadership, firm innovativeness and corporate social responsibility to employees (CSRE).Design/methodology/approachA total of 285 Spanish firms took part in the study, and 570 questionnaires were gathered. Structural equation modelling was used to validate the proposed hypotheses.FindingsResults suggest that servant leadership has a positive relationship with firm innovativeness, and this relationship is fully mediated by CSRE.Research limitations/implicationsHR managers have an overall view of their company and of the behaviour of other leaders. However, future research should also consider employees perceptions. The present study is cross-sectional, and it would be interesting to study the development of the interaction between leaders and followers, which calls for longitudinal and multilevel studies.Practical implicationsAccording to our results, managers could foster firm innovativeness if they select and promote leaders who display the different leadership behaviours related to servant leadership: empowerment, servitude, accountability, courage, authenticity, humility and stewardship. Moreover, training programmes should also foster these behaviours.Originality/valueFew empirical studies analyse the relationship between servant leadership and innovation. The main contribution of the present research is to further the current knowledge of this relationship by disentangling the mediating role of corporate social responsibility to employees.