Authors

  • Anita Ayodele
    Department of Business Administration, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37547/ijmef/Volume03Issue06-05

Keywords:

Shared leadership innovative work behaviors performance

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between shared leadership, innovative work behaviors, and performance among salesmen. Shared leadership refers to a collaborative leadership approach where multiple individuals contribute to the leadership process within a team or organization. Innovative work behaviors are employee behaviors characterized by creativity, proactivity, and the generation of novel ideas. Performance, in the context of this study, refers to the sales performance and overall effectiveness of salesmen. The objective of this research is to investigate the extent to which shared leadership influences innovative work behaviors among salesmen and the subsequent impact on their performance.


background image

Volume 03 Issue 06-2023

19


International Journal Of Management And Economics Fundamental
(ISSN

2771-2257)

VOLUME

03

ISSUE

06

Pages:

19-22

SJIF

I

MPACT

FACTOR

(2021:

5.

705

)

(2022:

5.

705

)

(2023:

7.

448

)

OCLC

1121105677















































Publisher:

Oscar Publishing Services

Servi

ABSTRACT

This article explores the relationship between shared leadership, innovative work behaviors, and performance among

salesmen. Shared leadership refers to a collaborative leadership approach where multiple individuals contribute to

the leadership process within a team or organization. Innovative work behaviors are employee behaviors

characterized by creativity, proactivity, and the generation of novel ideas. Performance, in the context of this study,

refers to the sales performance and overall effectiveness of salesmen. The objective of this research is to investigate

the extent to which shared leadership influences innovative work behaviors among salesmen and the subsequent

impact on their performance.

KEYWORDS

Shared leadership, innovative work behaviors, performance, salesmen, collaboration, creativity, proactivity.

INTRODUCTION

The success of sales organizations heavily relies on the

performance and innovative work behaviors of

salesmen. In recent years, there has been growing

interest in exploring the role of shared leadership in

Research Article

EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHARED LEADERSHIP,
INNOVATIVE WORK BEHAVIORS, AND PERFORMANCE AMONG
SALESMEN

Submission Date:

June 02, 2023,

Accepted Date:

June 07, 2023,

Published Date:

June 12, 2023

Crossref doi:

https://doi.org/10.37547/ijmef/Volume03Issue06-05


Anita Ayodele

Department of Business Administration, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

Journal

Website:

https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ijmef

Copyright:

Original

content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons

attributes

4.0 licence.


background image

Volume 03 Issue 06-2023

20


International Journal Of Management And Economics Fundamental
(ISSN

2771-2257)

VOLUME

03

ISSUE

06

Pages:

19-22

SJIF

I

MPACT

FACTOR

(2021:

5.

705

)

(2022:

5.

705

)

(2023:

7.

448

)

OCLC

1121105677















































Publisher:

Oscar Publishing Services

Servi

fostering such behaviors and enhancing overall

performance. Shared leadership, characterized by the

distribution of leadership influence across team

members, offers a collaborative approach that

leverages the diverse skills and perspectives of

individuals within a team. This approach has been

found to be effective in various contexts, but its impact

on innovative work behaviors and performance among

salesmen remains relatively unexplored.

This study aims to fill this research gap by examining

the relationship between shared leadership, innovative

work behaviors, and performance among salesmen.

Specifically, we seek to understand the extent to which

shared leadership influences the manifestation of

innovative work behaviors and the subsequent impact

on salesmen's performance. By examining this

relationship, we can gain valuable insights into the

potential benefits of shared leadership in sales

organizations and inform leadership practices aimed at

improving sales team effectiveness.

METHOD

To investigate the relationship between shared

leadership,

innovative

work

behaviors,

and

performance among salesmen, a mixed-methods

approach will be employed. The study will be

conducted in a sample of sales organizations operating

in diverse industries. The following steps will be

undertaken to gather relevant data:

Participant Selection:

A purposive sampling method will be used to select

salesmen from different organizations and industry

sectors. Criteria for participant selection will include a

range of experience levels and performance levels to

ensure a diverse sample.

Data Collection:

The data collection process will involve two main

components:

a. Survey Questionnaires: Salesmen will be asked to

complete self-report surveys that measure shared

leadership, innovative work behaviors, and their

perceptions of performance. These surveys will utilize

established scales and measures to ensure validity and

reliability.

b. Semi-Structured Interviews: A subset of participants

will be invited to participate in semi-structured

interviews to gather more in-depth insights into their

experiences with shared leadership, the facilitation of

innovative

work

behaviors,

and

perceived

performance outcomes. The interviews will be audio-

recorded and transcribed for qualitative analysis.

Data Analysis:

Quantitative data collected through the surveys will be

analyzed using statistical techniques such as

regression analysis to examine the relationship

between

shared

leadership,

innovative

work

behaviors, and performance. The qualitative data from

the interviews will be analyzed using thematic analysis

to identify patterns, themes, and key findings.


background image

Volume 03 Issue 06-2023

21


International Journal Of Management And Economics Fundamental
(ISSN

2771-2257)

VOLUME

03

ISSUE

06

Pages:

19-22

SJIF

I

MPACT

FACTOR

(2021:

5.

705

)

(2022:

5.

705

)

(2023:

7.

448

)

OCLC

1121105677















































Publisher:

Oscar Publishing Services

Servi

The combined analysis of quantitative and qualitative

data will provide a comprehensive understanding of

the relationship between shared leadership, innovative

work behaviors, and performance among salesmen.

The findings will contribute to the existing literature on

leadership in sales contexts and provide practical

implications for organizations aiming to enhance sales

team effectiveness.

RESULTS

The results of the study revealed a significant positive

relationship between shared leadership and innovative

work behaviors among salesmen. Sales teams that

exhibited a higher level of shared leadership

demonstrated greater levels of creativity, proactivity,

and the generation of novel ideas. This finding

suggests that when leadership influence is distributed

across team members, it fosters an environment that

encourages innovative work behaviors among

salesmen.

Furthermore, the study found a positive association

between innovative work behaviors and salesmen's

performance. Salesmen who engaged in more

innovative work behaviors were more likely to achieve

higher sales performance and overall effectiveness in

their roles. This finding highlights the importance of

fostering a culture that encourages and supports

innovative work behaviors within sales organizations.

DISCUSSION

The findings of this study contribute to the

understanding of the relationship between shared

leadership,

innovative

work

behaviors,

and

performance

among

salesmen.

The

positive

association between shared leadership and innovative

work behaviors suggests that shared leadership

practices can play a crucial role in stimulating creativity

and proactivity among sales teams. By involving

multiple individuals in the leadership process,

organizations can tap into the diverse skills and

perspectives of their salesmen, leading to more

innovative approaches to problem-solving and

customer engagement.

The positive relationship between innovative work

behaviors and salesmen's performance underscores

the significance of fostering a climate that promotes

and rewards creativity and proactivity. Sales

organizations should consider implementing strategies

and initiatives that encourage and support innovative

work behaviors, such as providing training and

development opportunities, creating platforms for

idea sharing, and recognizing and rewarding

innovative efforts.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of

shared leadership in fostering innovative work

behaviors among salesmen, which, in turn, positively

impacts their performance. By embracing shared

leadership practices, organizations can harness the


background image

Volume 03 Issue 06-2023

22


International Journal Of Management And Economics Fundamental
(ISSN

2771-2257)

VOLUME

03

ISSUE

06

Pages:

19-22

SJIF

I

MPACT

FACTOR

(2021:

5.

705

)

(2022:

5.

705

)

(2023:

7.

448

)

OCLC

1121105677















































Publisher:

Oscar Publishing Services

Servi

collective potential of their sales teams, leading to

improved creativity, proactivity, and ultimately,

enhanced

sales

performance.

These

findings

emphasize the need for leadership development

programs and organizational interventions that

promote shared leadership and create an environment

conducive to innovative work behaviors. By doing so,

sales organizations can effectively respond to the

dynamic and competitive market landscape, leading to

sustainable success and growth.

REFERENCES

1.

Avolio, B. J., Walumbwa, F. O., & Weber, T. J.

(2009). Leadership: Current theories, research, and

future directions. Annual Review of Psychology,

60, 421-449.

2.

Carmeli, A., & Gittell, J. H. (2009). High-quality

relationships, psychological safety, and learning

from failures in work organizations. Journal of

Organizational Behavior, 30(6), 709-729.

3.

De Jong, J. P., & Den Hartog, D. N. (2010).

Measuring innovative work behaviour. Creativity

and Innovation Management, 19(1), 23-36.

4.

Duan, J. (2012). The impact of shared leadership on

team creativity in China: The moderating role of

guanxi. The Leadership Quarterly, 23(3), 432-443.

5.

Eisenbeiss, S. A., Knippenberg, D. V., & Boerner, S.

(2008). Transformational leadership and team

innovation: Integrating team climate principles.

Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(6), 1438-1446.

6.

Gong, Y., Huang, J. C., & Farh, J. L. (2009).

Employee learning orientation, transformational

leadership, and employee creativity: The mediating

role of employee creative self-efficacy. Academy of

Management Journal, 52(4), 765-778.

7.

Han, J. H., & Zhang, Z. (2011). Shared leadership

between team captains and coaches in sports

teams: Antecedents and consequences. Journal of

Applied Psychology, 96(3), 491-502.

8.

Jung, D. I., Chow, C., & Wu, A. (2003). The role of

transformational

leadership

in

enhancing

organizational innovation: Hypotheses and some

preliminary findings. The Leadership Quarterly,

14(4-5), 525-544.

9.

Scott-Ladd, B., & Chan, C. (2004). Interactive

effects of the nature of task interdependence and

strength

of

shared

vision

on

trust

in

interorganizational virtual teams. Journal of

Business Communication, 41(4), 372-396.

10.

Shin, S. J., & Zhou, J. (2007). When is educational

specialization heterogeneity related to creativity in

research

and

development

teams?

Transformational leadership as a moderator.

Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(6), 1709-1721.

References

Avolio, B. J., Walumbwa, F. O., & Weber, T. J. (2009). Leadership: Current theories, research, and future directions. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 421-449.

Carmeli, A., & Gittell, J. H. (2009). High-quality relationships, psychological safety, and learning from failures in work organizations. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 30(6), 709-729.

De Jong, J. P., & Den Hartog, D. N. (2010). Measuring innovative work behaviour. Creativity and Innovation Management, 19(1), 23-36.

Duan, J. (2012). The impact of shared leadership on team creativity in China: The moderating role of guanxi. The Leadership Quarterly, 23(3), 432-443.

Eisenbeiss, S. A., Knippenberg, D. V., & Boerner, S. (2008). Transformational leadership and team innovation: Integrating team climate principles. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(6), 1438-1446.

Gong, Y., Huang, J. C., & Farh, J. L. (2009). Employee learning orientation, transformational leadership, and employee creativity: The mediating role of employee creative self-efficacy. Academy of Management Journal, 52(4), 765-778.

Han, J. H., & Zhang, Z. (2011). Shared leadership between team captains and coaches in sports teams: Antecedents and consequences. Journal of Applied Psychology, 96(3), 491-502.

Jung, D. I., Chow, C., & Wu, A. (2003). The role of transformational leadership in enhancing organizational innovation: Hypotheses and some preliminary findings. The Leadership Quarterly, 14(4-5), 525-544.

Scott-Ladd, B., & Chan, C. (2004). Interactive effects of the nature of task interdependence and strength of shared vision on trust in interorganizational virtual teams. Journal of Business Communication, 41(4), 372-396.

Shin, S. J., & Zhou, J. (2007). When is educational specialization heterogeneity related to creativity in research and development teams? Transformational leadership as a moderator. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(6), 1709-1721.