Transformational leadership and knowledge sharing behavior in freelancers

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between transformational leadership and knowledge sharing behavior in freelancers. Also, the study focuses upon mediation of the relationship by employee engagement and moderation by social support. Design/methodology/approach Confirmatory factor analysis was used to find validity and reliability of the model under study. To study the relation between variables, the Pearson correlation was used. Further, the PROCESS macro of Hayes (2013) was used to test mediation and moderated mediation. Findings Transformational leadership influenced knowledge collecting and knowledge donating behavior in freelancers. The relation was mediated by employee engagement. Social support was found to moderate the mediated path by employee engagement between transformational leadership and knowledge collecting behavior. A similar result was found for knowledge donating behavior as a dependent variable. Research limitations/implications The model under study can be tested in other contexts with extended data. Practical implications The study asserts importance on freelancers in knowledge sharing in client organizations; leaders should take a transformational role to create a culture of free flow of knowledge and information between various types of employees. Originality/value This study is the first to research how transformational leadership, through engagement, motivates freelancers in engaging in knowledge collecting and knowledge donating. The importance of social support is also noted.