The Effects of Transformational Leadership on Followers' Creativity and Innovation Brunel ...

267 Pages·2014·3.83 MB·English

The Effects of Transformational Leadership on Followers’
Creativity and Innovation

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor
of Philosophy in Management Studies
By
Saud Alarifi

Brunel Business School
Brunel University
June, 2014
I
ABSTRACT
Today, the revolution of knowledge, innovation, and information is considered as
important factors for psychological, technological, economical, and social world.
Organisations are facing big challenges such as globalisation, emergence of knowledge
based economies, intense competition, and rapid technological developments. The
literature reveals controlling these challenges through innovative and creative abilities of
organisation with the support of their leadership.
This study examines the relationship between transformational leadership and innovation
at the organisational level and creativity at the individual level in Saudi Arabia. The
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is facing the problems because of being a young, wealthy and a
developing country. The current state of innovation in its public sector and human
resources creativity provides insights to policy makers with reference to the leadership
approaches in this country. With the support of the relevant literature gap, a theoretical
framework has been developed that explains how transformational leaders of the public
sector organisations influence followers’ creativity and organisational innovation. To
investigate this relationship, the researcher adapted a survey instrument to obtain the date
from Public Security organisation. A Self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to
employees who were randomly selected from the organisation. After screening, final
sample of 503 was selected for the study data analysis.
The results show that transformational leadership is positively and significantly correlated
to the follower’s creativity and organisational innovation. Furthermore, positive and
significant relationships were found between follower’s creativity and organisational
innovation. In addition, the relationship between the transformational leadership and
follower’s creativity through the mediating role of employee psychological empowerment,
support for innovation, workplace relationship, and employee learning were found positive
and significant. However, intrinsic motivation does not significantly mediate the
relationship between transformational leadership and creativity.
The findings of this research contribute to the behavioural and psychological literature in
general and for transformational leadership literature in particular. They provide supportive
insights into the state of transformational leadership for field experts, policy makers, and
administration of the public security organisations especially from the Gulf countries.
II
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It was like a dream to complete my PhD thesis work and today it is going to be true. To
this context, first of all I would like to thank my God, the almighty, who provided me with
knowledge and power and made it possible to complete this doctoral thesis. During this
journey, I got many ups and downs as a research student at Brunel University and at one
time I was thinking to quit this journey but the critical experience was giving me the
strength to continue despite all difficulties.
However, the completion of this difficult journey was impossible without possible
guidance, encouragement, and support that I received from my supervisors during the time
that I stayed at the University. I am indebted to my first supervisor, Dr. Abrahim
Althonayan, for his superb supervision, encouragement, continuous guidance and support
for this achievement. His passion for research has been exceptionally inspirational. I really
thank you very much Dr. Althonayan.
I would like to pay my thanks to my employer, public security sector of Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia for funding my doctoral degree. I am also thankful to the Ministry of Interior,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who facilitated this journey. Also many thanks go to employees
who participated in my study and also all staff members at Brunel Business School for
their kind support during my PhD studies.
My greatest indebtedness is to my elder brothers, sisters, wife, and my children, I cannot
find adequate words to express how essential your inspiration and support were to bring
me to this point.
My sincere appreciation and thanks are also due to Prof. Dr. Naimatullah Shah and Dr.
Hassan Almahdi, Dr. Faris Alsobhi, who have been a constant source of encouragement
throughout this journey. Lastly, I warmly extend thanks to all my colleagues at Brunel
Business School for their continuous encouragement and support, as well as many thanks
to all my friends and colleagues from Brunel and outside for their time, advice and moral
support to ensure the completion of the thesis.
III
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this piece of research work has not been submitted within a degree
program in support of an application for another qualification or degree programme at this
or any other institution. I also declare that, this work has been written by me and I am
responsible for the work submitted in this thesis. During the preparation of this thesis
work, some papers were prepared as listed below. The remaining parts of the thesis have
not yet been published.
Conferences/Published Papers/Symposiums
1) Alarifi, S. And Althonayan, A. (2013) “The Effects of Transformational Leadership
nd
on Followers’ Creativity in Public Sector”, 2 International Conference on
Management, Behavioural Science and Economic Issues (ICMBE 2013), Dubai,
UAE, (CD-Proceedings).

2) Alarifi, S. And Althonayan, A. (2013) “Investigating the Role of Transformational
Leadership on Followers’ Creativity through Mediating Support for Innovation and
Workplace Relationship: A Conceptual Approach”, International Journal of
Humanities and Management Science (IJHMS), 1(4), pp.2320-4036.
 Empowering Employees and its Role in Enhancing Organisational Innovation:
Paper presented at Doctoral Symposia, 2010, Brunel University, UK
 The effects of transformational leadership on followers’ creativity and
organisational innovation in public sector: Paper presented at Doctoral Symposia,
2011, Brunel University, UK (Best Paper)
 The effects of transformational leadership on followers’ creativity and
organisational innovation in public sector: Paper presented at Doctoral Symposia,
2012, Brunel University, UK.
 The effects of transformational leadership on followers’ creativity and
organisational innovation in public sector: Paper presented at Doctoral Symposia,
2013, Brunel University, UK.
Signature: --------------------------
Date: --------------------------------
IV

DEDICATION
I would like to dedicate this thesis to my family for their continual love and support, which
helped me to achieve my vision.
V
ABBREVIATIONS
BTS =Bartlett’s test of Sphericity
CFA = Confirmatory factor analysis
COMP = Competition
CRTY = Creativity
EFA = Exploratory factor analysis
EMLE = Employee Learning
IDAT= Idealised Attribute
IMPT = Impact
INBE = Idealised Behaviour
INCO = Individual Consideration
INMO = Inspirational Motivation
INST = Intellectual Stimulation
INTM = Intrinsic Motivation
KMO = Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin
KSA = Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
MENG = Meaning
MLQ = Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire
ORIN = Organisational Innovation.
PESI = Perception of Support for Innovation
SEDE = Self-determination
SEM = Structural equation modelling.
SPSS= Statistical package for social sciences
UK= United Kingdome
USA =United States of America
WOSR = Workplace Social Relationships
α = Cronbach’s coefficient alpha
VI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................ I
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................................... II
DECLARATION ...................................................................................................................................... III
DEDICATION ......................................................................................................................................... IV
ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................................... V
LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................... IX
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................... X
CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................................ 1
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 RESEARCH BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................... 1
1.2 RESEARCH AIM AND OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................... 2
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY .............................................................................................. 4
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ........................................................................................................... 6
1.5 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................. 7
1.5.1 RATIONALE OF THE STUDY .............................................................................................................. 8
1.6 RESEARCH CONTEXT ............................................................................................................ 11
1.7 THESIS STRUCTURE ............................................................................................................... 14
CHAPTER TWO ..................................................................................................................................... 16
LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................................ 16
2.1.1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 16
2.1.2. LEADERSHIP ........................................................................................................................ 17
2.1.3. LEADERSHIP: A NEW APPROACH ................................................................................... 18
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP .............................................................................................. 20
2.1.4. TRANSACTIONAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP ...................................................... 22
2.2. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP DIMENSIONS ........................................................ 24
2.2.1. CHARISMATIC ROLE OR IDEALISED INFLUENCE ...................................................................... 24
2.2.2. INSPIRATIONAL MOTIVATION ................................................................................................... 24
2.3. CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION .......................................................................................... 26
2.3.1. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND FOLLOWERS’ CREATIVITY ...................................... 28
2.3.2. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL INNOVATION ............................. 29
2.3.3. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT FOR INNOVATION ..................................... 31
2.3.4. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND INTRINSIC MOTIVATION ......................................... 32
2.3.5. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING ................................. 34
2.3.6. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIP .................................. 34
2.4. RESEARCH STUDIES IN TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP ..................................... 35
2.5. RESEARCH GAP ....................................................................................................................... 51
2.6. SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................. 53
CHAPTER THREE: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ....................................................................... 54
3. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 54
3.1 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK .................................................................................................... 55
3.1.1 TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND FOLLOWERS’ CREATIVITY............................................ 68
3.1.2 TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP, EMPOWERMENT, AND CREATIVITY ................................... 70
VII
3.1.3 TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP, INTRINSIC MOTIVATION, AND CREATIVITY .................. ..711
3.1.4 TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP, SUPPORT FOR INNOVATION, AND CREATIVITY ................. 73
3.1.5 TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP, WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS, AND CREATIVITY ............. 74
3.1.6 TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP, ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING, AND CREATIVITY.............. 75
3.1.7 TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL INNOVATION ................................. 76
3.1.8 FOLLOWERS CREATIVITY AND ORGANISATIONAL INNOVATION ................................................. 78
3.2 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................. 79
CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................................ 80
4.1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 80
4.2. RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACHES .................................................................. 80
4.3. SELECTION OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH APPROACH AND JUSTIFICATION ...... 84
4.4. RATIONALE FOR CHOOSING A METHODOLOGY WITH REFERENCES ..................... 85
4.5. RESEARCH DESIGN ................................................................................................................. 89
4.6. DEVELOPING SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE .......................................................................... 92
4.6.1. SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE .......................................................................................................... 92
4.6.2. MEASUREMENT SCALES ............................................................................................................ 93
4.7. PILOT STUDY ........................................................................................................................... 95
4.8. RESEARCH PROTOCOL ......................................................................................................... 96
4.9. RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY ............................................................................................... 97
4.10. MAIN STUDY ............................................................................................................................. 98
4.10.1. POPULATION AND SAMPLING .................................................................................................... 98
4.10.2. TARGETED SAMPLES ................................................................................................................. 98
4.10.3. DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE .............................................................................................. 98
4.10.4. DATA ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES AND STATISTICAL PACKAGES ................................................. 99
4.11. ETHICAL CONSIDERATION ................................................................................................ 100
4.12. SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 101
CHAPTER FIVE: DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS .............................................................. 102
5.1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 102
5.2. PILOT STUDY ......................................................................................................................... 102
5.3. MAIN STUDY ........................................................................................................................... 107
5.4. DATA COLLECTION PROCESS ........................................................................................... 107
5.5. DATA SCREENING PRIOR TO DATA ANALYSIS ............................................................. 108
5.5.1. TREATMENT OF MISSING DATA .............................................................................................. 109
5.5.2. OUTLIERS ................................................................................................................................. 109
5.5.3. NORMALITY ............................................................................................................................. 113
5.5.4. LINEARITY ............................................................................................................................... 117
5.5.5. HOMOSCEDASTICITY ............................................................................................................... 119
5.6. SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESPONDENTS ................................................. 122
5.7. RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY ............................................................................................. 126
5.8. FACTOR ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................... 132
5.9. HYPOTHESES TESTING ........................................................................................................ 153
5.10. SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 164
CHAPTER SIX: DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................ 165
6.1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 165
6.2. POPULATION AND SAMPLE ISSUE .................................................................................... 166
VIII
6.3. MEASUREMENT SCALE PURIFICATION .......................................................................... 168
6.4. DISCUSSION OF THE RESULTS ........................................................................................... 171
6.4.1. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND FOLLOWERS’ CREATIVITY .................................... 172
6.4.1.1. Transformational Leadership and Followers’ Creativity through mediating of
Psychological Empowerment ............................................................................................................... 173
6.4.1.2. Transformational Leadership and Followers’ Creativity through mediating of Intrinsic
Motivation ............................................................................................................................................. 175
6.4.1.3. Transformational Leadership and Followers’ Creativity through mediating of Support for
Innovation ............................................................................................................................................. 176
6.4.1.4. Transformational Leadership and Followers’ Creativity through mediating of Workplace
Relationship .......................................................................................................................................... 177
6.4.1.5. Transformational Leadership and Followers’ Creativity through mediating of Employee
Learning 179
6.4.2. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL INNOVATION ........................... 180
6.4.3. FOLLOWERS’ CREATIVITY AND ORGANISATIONAL INNOVATION ......................................... 181
6.5. SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 183
CHAPTER SEVEN ............................................................................................................................... 185
CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS, LIMITATIONS, RECOMMENDATION, AND FUTURE
RESEARCH........................................................................................................................................... 185
7.1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 185
7.2. CONTRIBUTION OF THIS THESIS ...................................................................................... 187
7.3. RESEARCH IMPLICATIONS ................................................................................................ 187
7.3.1. THEORETICAL IMPLICATIONS ................................................................................................ 187
7.3.2. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS ..................................................................................................... 191
7.3.3. METHODOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS ........................................................................................ 194
7.4. RESEARCH LIMITATION ..................................................................................................... 196
7.4.1. THEORETICAL LIMITATIONS .................................................................................................. 196
7.4.2. METHODOLOGICAL LIMITATIONS .......................................................................................... 198
7.5. RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH AVENUE .......................................... 199
REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................... 202
APPENDIX 1: SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ................................... 226
APPENDIX 2: SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE IN ARABIC LANGUAGE ...................................... 233
APPENDIX 3 CODING FOR QUESTIONS ITEM ........................................................................ 242
APPENDIX 4 MISSING VALUE .................................................................................................... 246
APPENDIX 5 CASE SUMMARIES OF MAHALANOBIS’S DISTANCE ......................................... 250
APPENDIX 6: THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR..….254
APPENDIX 7: THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE OF PUBLIC SECURITY SECTOR…..…255
IX
LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1: Research Studies in Transformational Leadership ................................................... 42
Table 3.1: Summary of the Literature.................................................................................... 57
Table 4.1: Steps for research design ...................................................................................... 92
Table 4.2: Purpose of the Pilot Survey .................................................................................. 95
Table 4.3: Time Schedule for the Research ............................................................................ 96
Table 5.1: Demographic characteristics of participants (N=47) .............................................. 104
Table 5.2: Cronbach’s Alpha Reliability ............................................................................. 106
Table 5.3: Univariate and Multivariate Outliers Results ........................................................ 112
Table 5.4: Descriptive Statistics ......................................................................................... 115
Table 5.5: Tests of Normality ............................................................................................ 116
Table 5.6: Pearson’s Correlations ....................................................................................... 118
Table 5.7: Test of Homogeneity of Variance ........................................................................ 120
Table 5.8: Demographic characteristics of participants (N=503) ............................................. 124
Table 5.9: Cronbach’s Alpha Reliability ............................................................................. 127
Table 5.10: Pearson’s Correlation of Individual Items ........................................................... 129
Table 5.11: Pearson’s Correlation of Individual Items ........................................................... 130
Table 5.12: Pearson’s Correlation of Individual Items ........................................................... 131
Table 5.13: Pearson’s Correlation of Individual Items ........................................................... 132
Table 5.14: KMO and Bartlett's Test ................................................................................... 134
Table 5.15: KMO and Bartlett's Test ................................................................................... 134
Table 5.16: KMO and Bartlett's Test ................................................................................... 135
Table 5.17: Communalities ................................................................................................ 136
Table 5.18:Communalities ................................................................................................. 137
Table 5.19:Communalities ................................................................................................. 138
a
Table 5.20:Rotated Component Matrix .............................................................................. 139
Table 5.21:Total Variance Explained .................................................................................. 140
Table 5.22: Rotated Component Matrixa ............................................................................. 141
Table 5.23: Total Variance Explained ................................................................................. 143
Table 5.24: Rotated Component Matrixa ............................................................................. 145
Table 5.25: Total Variance Explained ................................................................................. 146
Table 5.26: Pearson’s Correlations ..................................................................................... 155
Table 5.27: Results of the Regression Analysis for Follower’s Creativity ................................ 156
Table 5.28: Results of the Regression Analysis for Follower’s Creativity ................................ 157
Table 5.29: Results of the Regression Analysis for Follower’s Creativity ................................ 158
Table 5.30: Results of the Regression Analysis for Follower’s Creativity ................................ 159
Table 5.31: Results of the Regression Analysis for Follower’s Creativity ................................ 160
Table 5.32: Results of the Regression Analysis for Follower’s Creativity ................................ 161
Table 5.33: Results of the Regression Analysis for Organisational Innovation ......................... 162
Table 5.34: Results of Regression Analysis ......................................................................... 163