Introduction: Knowledge is a critical resource for organizations working in dynamically competitive environments. In any organization, leaders who have the power to incite and influence knowledge management processes. Nevertheless, there is lack of empirical evidence from previous studies on examining this relationship. In view of this, the current study examined the relationship between transformational and transactional leadership with knowledge management in university.Method: The research method was descriptive-correlative. The statistical population consisted of 484 university employees, from whom 214 were selected randomly using Morgan table. Data were collected through Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and Knowledge Management Questionnaire. To examine the reliability of the questionnaires, Cronbach alpha coefficient was used, and to determine the validity, content validity method was applied. All descriptive statistics, correlation and regression were performed in SPSS 19.Results: The results showed that the correlations between transformational leadership (R=0.55) and transactional leadership (R=0.44) with knowledge management were significant (P<0.001). Other results showed that the correlations between transformational leadership and knowledge management components - creating knowledge (R=0.59), sharing knowledge (R=0.24), storing knowledge (R=0.56), applying knowledge (R=0.41) - were significant (p<0.001). Results showed that the correlations between transactional leadership and knowledge management components - creating knowledge (R=0.45), sharing knowledge (R=0.27), storing knowledge (R=0.33), applying knowledge (R=0.41) - were significant (p<0.001). Also, it was revealed that there was no significance relationship between Laissez-faire style and dimensions of knowledge management. Finally, the results of multiple regression analysis showed that among transformational leadership components, inspirational motivation (β= 0.460) and idealized influence (β=0.194) could predict knowledge management processes.Conclusion: Managing knowledge requires a conscious effort on the part of leaders at all levels of the organization to manage four key knowledge processes: creating, sharing, storing, and applying knowledge. Transformational leadership theory and transactional leadership theory provide a foundation for understanding how leaders impact on knowledge management processes.Keywords: Transformational leadership, Transactional leadership, knowledge management processes |
- Davenport TH, Klahr P. Managing Customer Support Knowledge. California Management Review. 1998;40(3):195-208.
- Akpotu C, Jasmine T. Transformational Leadership and Knowledge Sharing in ICT Based Organizations in Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Social Science. 2013;4(12):100-6.
- Grant RM. Prospering in Dynamically-Competitive Environments: Organizational Capability as Knowledge Integration. Organization Science. 1996;7(4):375-87.
- Pandey N, Pandey A. Knowledge management through transformational leadership. International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences. 2013;2(9).
- Smith KG, Collins CJ, Clark KD. Existing Knowledge, Knowledge Creation Capability, and the Rate of New Product Introduction in High-Technology Firms. Academy of Management Journal. 2005;48(2):346-57.
- Teece DJ, Pisano G, Shuen A. Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal. 1997;18(7):509-33.
- Rhambasi DL. The Knowledge Resource: Thinking in Turbulent Times. Journal of Organizational Development. 2010;12(3):66-87.
- Zhang L, Wang H, Cao X, Wang X, Zhao K. Knowledge management component in managing human resources for enterprises. Information Technology and Management. 2012;13(4):341-9.
- Bryant SE. The Role of Transformational and Transactional Leadership in Creating, Sharing and Exploiting Organizational Knowledge. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies. 2003;9(4):32-44.
- Raja SRK. The Relationship of Knowledge Management Practices, Competencies and the Organizational Performance of Government Departments in Malaysia: World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology; 2008 Contract No.: Document Number|.
- Zhalwanyi B. Knowledge Quest: A Cotemporary Approach. Bouldon: Rockview Press; 2004.
- Bergeron B. Essentials of knowledge management. New Jersey: Wiley & Sons; 2003.
- Yaghoubi H, Mahallati T, Safari Moghadam A, Rahimi E. Transformational Leadership: Enabling Factor of Knowledge Management Practices. Journal of Management and Sustainability. 2014;4(3).
- Yang D. The Effect of Knowledge Management on Product Innovation - Evidence from the Chinese Software Outsourcing Vendors. iBusiness. 2011;03(01):16-22.
- Zheng W, Yang B, McLean GN. Linking organizational culture, structure, strategy, and organizational effectiveness: Mediating role of knowledge management. Journal of Business Research. 2010;63(7):763-71.
- Naveed Riaz M, Khalili T. Transformational, Transactional Leadership and Rational Decision Making in Services Providing Organizations: Moderating Role of Knowledge Management Processes. Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences. 2014;8(2):355- 64.
- Bollinger AS, Smith RD. Managing organizational knowledge as a strategic asset. Journal of Knowledge Management. 2001;5(1):8-18.
- Gelard P, Zahra B, Ali M. Relationship between Transformational Leadership and Knowledge Management. International Journal of Information Science and Management. 2014;12(2):67-82.
- Margaryan A, Milligan C, Littlejohn A. Validation of Davenportâs classification structure of knowledgeâintensive processes. Journal of Knowledge Management. 2011;15(4):568-81.
- Asoh DA, Belardo S, Crnkovic J. Assessing Knowledge Management. International Journal of Knowledge Management. 2007;3(2):1-30.
- Wong K. Critical success factors for implementing knowledge management in small and medium enterprises. Industrial Management & Data Systems. 2005;105(3):261-79.
- AL-Hakim L, Hassan S. Critical Success Factors of Knowledge Management, Innovation and Organizational Performance: An Empirical Study of the Iraqi Mobile Telecommunication Sector. British Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences. 2012;4(1).
- Analoui BD, Hannah Doloriert C, Sambrook S. Leadership and knowledge management in UK ICT organisations. Journal of Management Development. 2012;32(1):4-17.
- Bell DeTienne K, Dyer G, Hoopes C, Harris S. Toward a Model of Effective Knowledge Management and Directions for Future Research: Culture, Leadership, and CKOs. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies. 2004;10(4):26-43.
- Crawford CB. Effects of transformational leadership and organizational position on knowledge management. Journal of Knowledge Management. 2005;9(6):6-16.
- Goudarzvandchigini M. Knowledge Management and Transformational Leadership in Organizational Success. International Journal of Information and Education Technology. 2011;1(5):377-9.
- Gowen CR, Henagan SC, McFadden KL. Knowledge management as a mediator for the efficacy of transformational leadership and quality management initiatives in U.S. health care. Health Care Management Review. 2009;34(2):129-40.
- Johnson JR. Leading the learning organization: portrait of four leaders. Leadership & Organization Development Journal. 2002;23(5):241-9.
- Kumar K, Jain K, Tiwary R. Leadership activities and their impact on creating knowledgein organizations. International Journal of Leadership Studies. 2013;8(1).
- Nguyen H, Mohamed S. Leadership behaviors, organizational culture and knowledge management practices: An empirical investigation. Journal of Management Development. 2011;30(2):206-21.
- Politis JD. The relationship of various leadership styles to knowledge management. Leadership & Organization Development Journal. 2001;22(8):354-64.
- Bass B. leadership and performance beyond expectations. New York: free press; 1985.
- Jandaghi G, Zareei M, Farjami A. Comparing Transformational Leadership in Successful and Unsuccessful Companies. The Journal of International Social Research. 2009;2(6).
- Nemanich LA, Keller RT. Transformational leadership in an acquisition: A field study of employees. The Leadership Quarterly. 2007;18(1):49-68.
- Avolio B, Bass B. Developing potential across a full range of leadership: Cases on transactional and transformational leadership. Mahwah: NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum; 2002.
- Avolio B, Bass B. Improving Organizational Effectiveness through Transformational Leadership. California: Sage Pub.
- Hemati M. Evaluation of Knowledge Management at Tehran University campuses: Tehran University; 2010.
- Noruzy A, Dalfard VM, Azhdari B, Nazari-Shirkouhi S, Rezazadeh A. Relations between transformational leadership, organizational learning, knowledge management, organizational innovation, and organizational performance: an empirical investigation of manufacturing firms. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. 2012;64(5-8):1073-85.
|