The purpose of this research is to study how organizations maintain their competitive advantage in today’s turbulent and highly competitive business environment, by striving to become a learning organization. The impact of factors such as leadership (both transformational and transactional leadership) and trust on an organization’s learning capability is empirically examined. This research adds to the existing body of literature in two ways. First, it argues that a transactional leadership style can influence learning, despite research spanning the last decade that has focused on transformational leadership theory as the dominant model of effective leadership. Therefore, the importance of both leadership styles, each having valuable differential effects is emphasized in this study. Second, the previously untested role of trust as mediating the relationship between leadership and organizational learning capability is examined. It is argued that without supervisor trust, the opportunities for a learning organization to reach its full potential and to subsequently develop learning capabilities is reduced. Findings from this study support the influence of both leadership styles on learning. Trust in one’s supervisor was also found to fully mediate the relationship between leadership and learning.

As result of economic uncertainty, rapid technological developments and continuous change, effective organisational transformation is required to ensure a competitive advantage. Transformational leadership is characterised by the ability to bring about significant organisational change. Transformational leadership is visionary-orientated and based on deeply fundamental values. This intrinsic value system which is a dimension of spirituality forms a spiritual foundation that guides and directs leaders' behaviour. Recognising leadership as the manifestation of a leader's spiritual core has emerged from recent research, but no research studies could be found to confirm the relationship empirically speaking between transformational leadership and spiritual intelligence. Subsequently the aim of this research is to determine the relationship between transformational leadership and spiritual intelligence and how it is manifested in managers of a utility company. A literature study was undertaken to analyse the concepts of transformational leadership, spiritual intelligence and the key dimensions that described them. It leads to the conclusion that spiritual intelligence implies the "capacity to think with one's soul", bringing with it self development that may pre-dispose leaders to use transformational behaviour. In the empirical study with a group of 56 managers from a utility company, their transformational leadership behaviour and spiritual intelligence levels were assessed by means of self-evaluation via the following measuring instruments: Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) (Kouzes & Posner, 1998) and a Spiritual Intelligence questionnaire developed by Minnaar (2005). Feedback from 97% of the managers of the utility company yields the following results: good reliability indices for measuring instruments, and that a significant meaningful correlation exists between transformational leadership and spiritual intelligence. The results of this study prove a relationship between transformational leadership and spiritual intelligence as manifested amongst managers of a utility company. The contribution of this study is to be found in that research was done on the relationship between two leadership elements, which had not previously been researched. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006

This research explored the extent to which different knowledge conversion processes require different kinds of leadership. The research was inspired by Nonaka and Konno (1998) and proposed that knowledge conversion processes may each require their own form of leadership because they are conducted under different bas or contexts. Vera and Crossan's (2004) work provided a foundation for this research through the argument that knowledge conversion processes need not only transformational but also transactional leadership. The leadership framework based upon transformational and transactional leadership was therefore adopted for the study. Semi-structured interviews and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), developed by Bernard Bass and Bruce Avolio to assess leadership under the transformational and transactional leadership framework, were used to gauge the opinions of participants about leadership and knowledge conversion processes. Scenarios/descriptions derived from Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) were used to focus the mindset of the participants involved in the interviews and the questionnaire, which was administered at the time of the interviews to support triangulation. Findings suggested that knowledge conversion processes do not differ to the extent that they require both transformational and transactional leadership. However, qualitative evidence indicated that knowledge conversion processes were somewhat different in terms of certain dimensions of transformational leadership. These differences related to the need for a strong sense of purpose, a compelling vision of the future and long-termism in some but not all situations involving the leadership of knowledge conversion processes.

This study examined the relationship between principals' spiritual attitudes and transformational leaders and investigated if the combination of spirituality and demographic variables, such as gender, predicted transformational leadership. It was important to conduct this study utilizing the framework of transformational leadership since it has been identified as an effective type of leadership in educational settings (Leithwood & Jantzi, 1998; Ogawa & Hart, 1985). Piedmont's (1999) Spiritual Transcendence Scale was the instrument used to measure the participants' spiritual perspective and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire measured the type of leadership of each principal. The sample that was used in this study was 105 principals from Jefferson, Terrebone, and Plaquemines Parish School Systems in Southeastern Louisiana, in addition to principals involved in the School Leadership Center of Greater New Orleans. This correlational research design utilizing surveys was conducted via mail. The study determined that there is a relationship between transformational leadership, spiritual transcendence, and gender This study supports the position that there is a significant relationship between the predictor variable of principals' spirituality, as defined by the Spiritual Transcendence Scale, and transformational leadership, as defined on the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. Additional findings showed gender as another predictor of transformational leadership, and further implications suggest that principals' sense of prayer fulfillment in their lives can also be a predictor of transformational leadership. These findings present major implications for leaders in education, education policy makers, and researchers and support the need for spirituality to be taught in the educating of future principals.

This study explored successful leadership practices in challenging circumstances within the context of two case study schools. It was a qualitative case study of two secondary schools that have consistently performed above national average over a period of five years for matric pass rate. These township schools are headed by a female and a male principal. The study provides greater insights into leadership practices in the schools. The study showed that shared leadership was not practiced in the case schools. Shared (distributive) leadership implied that principals in the case schools would be practicing collective forms of leadership. However, delegation, which was about authority and accountability residing with the principal, seemed more prevalent. The findings revealed that both principals saw themselves as delegating most of the tasks to their subordinates, even though these tasks belonged to the subordinates by virtue of their formal appointments. The case schools have two deputies who share administrative and curriculum responsibilities. The deputy principals are there to deputise and assist the principal - duties that are lawfully theirs. The same applies to the HoDs whose duties are to oversee curriculum delivery in the classroom. These are not a delegated function but an execution of their responsibilities. In both case schools, evidence shows that the schools are successful because of the initiative of individual teachers who exert themselves in the classroom.

The current socio-economic and political challenges, globalisation, introduction of information technology and competition with private firms are challenging the way governments operate. In recent years, the UAE Government have thus invested heavily in the innovative projects to achieve the UAE vison 2021, which is to become one of the most innovative governments globally. Developing a better understanding of how innovation happens in governments appears to be gaining increased traction among policy makers and researchers alike. This study examined the relationship between Transformational leadership (TL), Innovation process (INN) and Knowledge sharing (KS) within public sector organisation the case of the UAE Ministry of Interior (MoI). There are several models of innovation available, however, most of them are based on product innovation and derived from private sector experiences. Moreover, there is a lack of models linking transformational leadership, knowledge sharing, and innovation within public organisation of developing countries in general and the UAE in particular The main research objective is to investigate the impact of the four main components of transformational leadership on knowledge sharing and innovation process within the public sector organisation, and the impact of knowledge sharing on the innovation process. To achieve the research objectives, a positivist paradigm is used throughout the research process. Using deductive approach, ten hypotheses were tested in the MoI context. Respondents no. The survey was administered to employees of the ministry of Interior as a method of data collection. Applying SPSS 23 and AMOS 23, the data was analysed and a structural model was developed, which can be serve as a predictive model for workplace innovation. Paragraph3 The findings of this research reveal that inspirational motivation (IM) has non-significant influence on the innovation process within the MoI, while the other three components of transformational leadership were found to have a significant influence on innovation process. Similarly, inspirational motivation (IM), and idealised influence (IF) were found to have non-significant influence on knowledge sharing. In addition, knowledge sharing (KS) was significantly associated with the innovation process. Finally, demographic variables specifically position and level of education were found to have a significant difference in terms of the respondents' views towards the innovation process within the MoI. This study contributes to the field of organizational innovation in public sector as the outcome of the research provides a specific framework for the conditions and needs of the public sector organisation. The study contributes to the theory by providing new insights into the factors that influence innovation process in the MoI. The study identifies four factors that directly and indirectly affect innovation process; these factors based on the degree of their importance are IC, IS, KS and IF. Moreover, the study contributes to the knowledge by investigating the mediating role of knowledge sharing in supporting the relationship between transformational leadership and innovation process. Finally, one major contribution of this study is the development of a 33-item instrument which measures factors affecting innovation process, particularly in the context of public sector of the UAE. From a practical perspective, MoI leaders trying to implement innovation can use the final model and set of recommendations provided to implement innovation effectively.

Ineffective communication is a chief contributor to business leaders' ineffective leadership. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the communication strategies that 4 business leaders in the retail industry used to improve employee motivation. The business leaders, including owners and senior leadership from 3 organizations in the retail industry in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area, were purposefully selected for study participation. Transformational leadership theory shaped the conceptual framework of this study. Transformational leaders use effective communication to influence employee motivation positively. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with the business leaders, public reports, organization documents, and text message correspondences. Data analysis involved identifying reoccurring phenomena and coding meaningful and common keywords, phrases, and statements to form themes. Data analysis also involved triangulating information. Through data analysis, 5 themes emerged, including the following: respectful communication, 2-way communication, and charismatic communication. Business leaders' practice of effective communication strategies could contribute to social change by enhancing the well-being of employees, which might promote the improvement of economic conditions of individuals, families, and communities.

There has been a rise in remote and virtual employees over the last 10 years with roughly 20-30 million Americans working remotely at least 1 day each week. This growth in virtual employees increases business and organizations' dependency on technology and on effective strategies to lead virtual teams. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this explanatory case study was to explore strategies e-leaders use in leading virtual teams effectively. The study population comprised a virtual company headquartered in the United States. The data included semistructured interviews with e-leaders with at least 1 year of experience in leading successful virtual teams, an analysis of technological tools, and a review of company documentation. Thematic analysis was conducted on the data collected via tool analysis. Three themes emerged from the analysis: focusing on results-based performance, enabling communications and collaborations through the right technologies, and investing in building and modeling the company's culture. The study's implications for positive social change include the potential to provide similar organizations with effective strategies to train their e-leaders in developing and leading more successful virtual teams. Additionally, using virtual teams can enable firms to lower direct and indirect green gashouse emissions by using fewer resources at worksites and to reduce carbon dioxide through decreased travel.

Businesses that can retain junior executives as part of a succession plan are likely to outperform companies that struggle to fill senior executive positions. The purpose of this correlational study was to create a focus for organizations facing competition for candidates to fill critical vacancies as a generation of senior executives retire. The study population consisted of junior executives working in the United States energy industry. This study was grounded in Burns' transformational leadership theory, which holds that leaders can increase the motivation, morale, and performance of followers to enhance their leadership to work toward organizational goals. The study research question examined the relationship between junior executives' perceptions of senior executives' transformational leadership styles, junior executives' job satisfaction, and junior executives' turnover intentions. Data were collected using an online survey (N = 492) and analyzed using correlational analysis. Multiple linear regression results showed a statistically significant negative correlation between junior executives' perceptions of senior executives' transformational leadership styles, junior executives' job satisfaction, and junior executives' turnover intentions. Business leaders might benefit from considering the concepts identified to implement strategies designed to retain skilled and experienced junior executives to maintain continuity and momentum of strategic efforts. Application of the findings of this study may lead to increased stability for employees and reduced turnover costs for businesses resulting in positive social change for individuals, organizations, and communities.

Retaining qualified talent is essential to organizational leaders' ability to maintain a competitive advantage. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the retention strategies that financial managers used to prepare and maintain talent to assume future leadership roles. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was the transformational leadership theory. The research participants were financial managers from 5 financial services businesses located in the southern region of the United States with a minimum of 5 years of management experience and at least 3 direct reports. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, observations, and review of annual reports, websites, and talent-development strategies. To ensure data saturation, methodological triangulation was used. Data analysis using the modified van Kaam method enabled the identification of 4 themes: preparing, partnering, mentoring, and investing. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential for leaders of financial businesses to increase awareness of the value of talent retention efforts across organizations, thereby improving profit margins.