An Investigation into the Associative Relationship Between Transformational Leadership and Innovative Working Behaviour, in Irish Technology Consulting Organisations

Kearney, Jeremy (2017) An Investigation into the Associative Relationship Between Transformational Leadership and Innovative Working Behaviour, in Irish Technology Consulting Organisations. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Purpose:
The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the relationship between Transformational Leadership (TL) and Innovative Working Behaviours (IWB) by employees within Irish Technology Consulting Organisations (TCOs). To this end, the paper will examine the mediating influences on employee’s Creative Self-Efficacy (CSE) and the Organisation’s Climate for Innovation (OCI), in the TL and IWB causal relationship.

Findings:
The quantitative results indicated that TL did not have an associative relationship with IWB or employee CSE within the sample population. TL did have a significant positive relationship with OCI within the TCO context. Employee CSE was found to have the most significant relationship in promoting IWB. Further qualitative results indicated that the distributed leadership structure within TCOs reduces the positive influences of TL.

Research Limitations and Implications:
The research participants were from several different TCOs, each with their own and varying level of TL. The research methodology was limited to a cross-sectional study, supporting a time-specific result only. Future research should conduct a longitudinal quantitative analysis of the relationship between TL, CSE, OCI and IWB on a single TCO, to support a deeper understanding of how TCO leadership frameworks can leverage TL, and also to measure the transformative properties of TL on TCO employees over time.

Practical Applications:
By supporting an in-depth understanding of the associative relationship between leadership and IWB (in a knowledge-intensive services organisation) - this will allow TCOs to review their leadership and employee engagement frameworks to better promote innovative working behaviours, to maximise the potential for positive organisational outcomes.

Originality and Value:
To date, the main body of research on the relationship between TL and innovation has focused on product-centric and/or non-skilled services organisations. This research paper extends the relational research (between TL and IWB) into the growing knowledge-services and technology consulting sectors. The study expands on the existing research, by focusing on knowledge-services and consulting organisations subjects. The study brings academic and practitioner value by supporting a deeper understanding of the value of TL as a predictor positive of outcomes in ‘knowledge economy’ technology services organisations.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General) H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Performance Management > Employee Engagement H Social Sciences > HM Sociology > Leadership H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Leadership
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Business Administration
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	21 Nov 2017 10:42
Last Modified:	21 Nov 2017 10:42
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/2869

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