The influence of perceived organizational support on dimensions of learning organization: An empirical study of SMEs in Iran

Theoretical development of servant leadership in a military context: A mixed methods research

Purpose: The present study aimed to both develop and validate a model for servant leadership in a military context. Design/methodology/approach: The exploratory sequential mixed methods design with two phases was used. Firstly, in the qualitative phase, the process of servant leadership in a military context was developed using a systematic approach of grounded theory. Secondly, in the quantitative phase, the relationship between the components of servant leadership was explained and the developed model was validated. Findings: The result of the qualitative phase show certain personal, organizational and social antecedents form the ideology of sacrifice in leaders which include: spiritually, intelligent and developed personality (personal antecedents); organizational culture, models and incentives (organizational antecedents); and reference groups and social events (social antecedents). The ideology of sacrifice resulted in choosing special behaviors of servant leadership by leaders. These behaviors include: creating service climate; developing standards; building trust; empowering followers comprehensively; and effective persuasion which cause positive personal and organizational outcomes. According to the results of quantitative phase, the proposed model has an appropriate fitness. Practical implications: The results of this research can be used to develop certain criteria for selecting servant leaders. Accordingly, certain training programs can be developed to promote competencies in organizational leaders. Originality/value: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to develop a model for servant leadership in a military context using a mixed methods design.

Learning culture in a Chinese SME: the unique role of work-family enrichment

Purpose

Learning and development are critical to a business’s success. This paper aims to focus on organizational factors at multiple organizational levels that facilitate learning culture in a small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in northwestern China.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is qualitative in nature. A single case study method is used to explore an SME’s organizational factors that facilitate learning culture.

Findings

This paper categorizes the organizational factors into seven dimensions: shared vision, creating continuous learning opportunities, informal learning that promotes inquiry and dialogue, collaboration and team learning, knowledge management systems, work–family enrichment and encouragement and support. This paper also compares the findings with learning culture models from Western research.

Research limitations/implications

Chinese culture has far-reaching and fundamental effects on many East Asian countries and regions. For SMEs in similar cultural settings with a collectivist orientation, future research may focus on the effect of the work–family enrichment on learning culture.

Originality/value

Work–family enrichment was found to be an important factor that influences learning effectiveness in this Chinese small business based on traditional values in Chinese culture.

The dimensions of the learning organization questionnaire (DLOQ)

Purpose

This study aims to address the reliability and validity of the shortened versions of the Arabic dimensions of the learning organization questionnaire (DLOQ) to provide evidence on the learning organization (LO) concept in Lebanon and to draw attention to the applicability of the LO concept to facilitate the development and operationalization of the LO in the Lebanese context.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 298 cases from five Lebanese firms were analyzed. Rigorous translation procedures have been applied to ensure the relevance of this instrument in the Arabic context. Confirmatory factor analysis, item-internal consistency estimates and item intercorrelation analysis showed that the 21- and the seven-item versions of the Arabic DLOQ have produced reliable measurement scores with a construct validity adequate to measure the LO culture in the Lebanese context.

Findings

The results of the current study confirmed that the shortened 21- and seven-item versions of the Arabic DLOQ are reliable, validated and applicable in the Lebanese context. This study also added to the stability of this foundation and pointed out weak areas that can be addressed by refining and developing the research, theory and practice of the LO.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study based on the shortened versions contributed to operationalizing a conceptually developed LO theory, which is an appropriate example of theory building in an applied discipline. The results also suggest that the LO comprised interdependent building blocks that need to be integrated at the individual, team and organizational levels to promote change and development in a system.

Practical implications

This study provides managers and HR practitioners, especially in the Lebanese context, with a sound model of the LO theory to be applied in their organizations.

Originality/value

This study provides scholars with an understanding of the potential value of the LO in the Lebanese context. The results present evidence of the cultural impact on the perceptions of the LO in the Lebanese context, confirm the applicability of the shortened Arabic DLOQ and provide HR practitioners in Lebanon with a tool to diagnose LO characteristics accurately and consistently and to determine if there is a link between the LO and organizational performance.

Inventário de Suporte Organizacional à Aprendizagem: Desenvolvimento e Evidências de Validação

Resumo Desenvolveu-se, testou-se e validou-se um inventário (ISOA) composto pela Escala de Suportes Organizacionais à Aquisição de Competências (ESOAC) e pela Escala de Suportes Organizacionais à Transferência para o Trabalho (ESOTT). Subdivididos em material e psicossocial, suportes correspondem ao apoio organizacional para a aprendizagem individual. A partir de revisão de escalas de suportes nacionais e internacionais, elaborou-se o inventário, submetendo-o à validação de seu conteúdo (análise de juízes e pré-testes). Para a validação de construto foram aplicadas análises fatoriais exploratórias (Estudo 1) e confirmatórias (Estudo 2) a resultados coletados em um banco público e em uma Organização Não Governamental, respectivamente. O Estudo 1 permitiu propor escalas com parâmetros adequados de validade e confiabilidade para medir os constructos. O Estudo 2 confirma, por Análises Fatoriais Confirmatórias, a adequação das escalas. Contribui-se para a literatura sobre aprendizagem nas organizações na medida em que são apresentados instrumentos com evidências de validade e confiabilidade dos suportes à aprendizagem e à transferência, diferenciados porque relacionam os suportes recebidos a experiências específicas (não genéricas) e interrelacionadas de aprendizagem (aquisição/retenção) e a transferências dessas aprendizagens para o trabalho.

Learning conditions, members’ motivation and satisfaction: a multilevel analysis

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to contribute to the clarification of the conditions under which teams can be successful, especially those related to team learning. To attain this goal, in the present study, the mediating role played by team members’ motivation on the relationship between team learning conditions (shared learning beliefs and team learning support) and members’ satisfaction with the team was analysed.

Design/methodology/approach

– An empirical study with a multilevel design was carried out. Data concerning learning conditions, motivation and satisfaction were obtained from a survey among 398 employees working in 71 teams that perform complex tasks from 24 companies. A multilevel analysis was conducted.

Findings

– Overall, the results showed that both team learning conditions – shared learning beliefs and team learning support – had a significant positive effect on members’ satisfaction, which was mediated by members’ motivation.

Originality/value

– The proliferation of groups in the organizational setting has set new challenges for organizational research. In fact, more than ever it is necessary to study the conditions under which teams can be successful. Our findings put forward the relevance of creating conditions in the team to learn to increase team effectiveness, namely, in terms of team members’ satisfaction.