The effect of servant leadership on innovative work behavior and employee knowledge sharing in the Latvian ICT sector

Fadi Youssef Bou Reslan, Zanete Garanti, Okechukwu Lawrence Emeagwali

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to peruse the underlying effect of servant leadership (SL) on innovative work behavior (IWB) and employee knowledge sharing behavior (KSB), directly and through the mediating effect of job autonomy (JA), by using autonomous psychological needs of self-determination theory and embracing Hofstede's framework in information and telecommunication technology (ICT) companies in Latvia. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative analysis of data from 271 employees and managers in Latvian ICT companies was used by applying structural equation modeling. Findings: The result discloses that SL can promote IWB and KSB directly and through mediating effects of JA. Research limitations/implications: The research is constricted by geography and sample data representation from a specific sector. Hence, future studies can determine the gender effects, carry out more preventive measures to avoid common method bias between constructs, measure antecedents and the mediator before outcomes and examine JA as a moderator. Practical implications: The findings demonstrate that the Latvian ICT sector should recruit managers with SL potentials, train and equip managers with the required resources to implement SL practices properly and integrate JA across the organization to increase the manifestation of IWB and KSB. Originality/value: This paper is the first to examine JA as the underlying process through which SL’s effects on IWB and KSB are explained in an individualistic country.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)729-744
Number of pages16
JournalBaltic Journal of Management
Volume16
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Oct 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • ICT companies
  • Individualism
  • Innovative work behavior
  • Job autonomy
  • Knowledge sharing behavior
  • Servant leadership

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