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Transformational leadership and absorptive capacity: an analysis of the organisational catalysts for this relationship

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Research analysing the antecedents of a firm’s absorptive capacity suggests that transformational leadership (TL) is one of its main determinants. However, the few studies focusing on the relationship between these two variables do not explicitly assess why transformational leaders facilitate knowledge acquisition, sharing and retention inside firms. This paper suggests that the reason is that the former contributes to the creation of an organisational context that favours learning processes. We test our research model on a sample of 467 Spanish industrial firms. Findings provide evidence that TL is positively related to the firm’s absorptive capacity and that this relationship is mediated by some organisational learning facilitators: experimentation, risk-taking, interacting with external environment and dialogue.

Source: Technology Analysis and Strategic Management

DOI: 10.1080/09537325.2017.1299859

Authors: José Luis Ferreras Méndez, Raquel Sanz Valle, Joaquín Alegre

Institutions: Universitat de València, Universidad de León, Universidad de Murcia

Language: English

Topic: Innovation and Knowledge Management

Subfield: Strategy and Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación

Award: G6049048580