Mediating and moderating impact of goal orientation and emotional intelligence on the relationship of knowledge oriented leadership and knowledge sharing

This paper aims to examine the underlying mechanism through which knowledge-oriented leadership (KOL) encourages knowledge sharing (KS) among the employees. It investigates KOL as an antecedent of KS. Furthermore, it also examines the mediation of employee goal orientation in the relationship of KOL and KS. Moderating role of emotional intelligence is also examined.

Multilayer data were collected from 223 employees of pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan. Structural equation modelling (SEM) is applied to analyse the model and hypothesis.

The result supports the direct positive effect of KOL on KS. Indirect effect of KOL on KS through the mediation of employee learning goal orientation is also supported by the result.

Organizations or managers should engage their learning-oriented employees newly hired employee and front line manager in KS process. Leader should give different task to such an employee who did not perform earlier because in doing so, such employee will explore or exploit their own tacit knowledge and that of their colleagues.

This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by establishing unexplored indirect effect of KOL on KS through the mediation of employee goal orientation. By discussing goal orientation as an outcome of KOL, this study extends the literature of the outcomes of KOL, which are currently limited to KM, work attitudes and innovative performance.