Investigating the relationship between transformational leadership and employee creativity: Moderating role of STARA awareness
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Abstract
Background. Although previous studies have revealed the relationship between transformational leadership and employee creativity, the role of recently conceptualized phenomena, such as STARA (smart technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics, and algorithms) awareness in this process should be investigated. STARA awareness has the potential to be a negative phenomenon for the medical services management sector as it refers to the occupational anxiety felt by employees due to smart technologies.
Aim. This research aimed to examine the relationship between transformational leadership and employee creativity and investigated the moderating role of STARA awareness.
Method. Data were collected from 307 employees in the medical services management sector in Istanbul and Ankara using a questionnaire technique. The hypotheses were tested employing linear regression and moderation effect analysis.
Findings. The findings indicated that all four dimensions of transformational leadership, known as idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, positively influenced employee creativity. However, STARA awareness moderated this relationship by weakening the effects of idealized influence, inspirational motivation, and intellectual stimulation on creativity, while the relationship between individualized consideration and creativity remained unaffected.
Conclusion. The findings are expected to provide new perspectives on how transformational leadership interacts with employees' perceptions of technology and contribute to increasing employee creativity.
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