A new conceptual model for assessing the role of knowledge cloud in stimulating subordinate creativity

Abstract

Purpose

The knowledge cloud links people and ideas while also providing worldwide resources for putting them into action. This paper aims to see how the knowledge cloud affects the stimulation of subordinate creativity. The impact of the knowledge cloud on transformational leadership and its impacts on subordinate creativity are examined in this investigation. Also, this study checks out the influence of knowledge cloud on motivational goal orientation and the impact of motivational goal orientation on subordinate creativity. It investigates the influence of knowledge cloud on self-efficacy and feelings of it on subordinate creativity. Moreover, this research examines the impact of the knowledge cloud on employee empowerment and its impact on subordinate creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

Knowledge sharing is known as a human rationale for information. It promotes learning, human performance, decision-making and problem-solving at the job; thus, innovation and creativity need novel knowledge. Knowledge cloud is a knowledge source that provides a base for knowledge co-creation. This investigation explores the structural relationships among knowledge cloud, transformational leadership, motivational goal orientation, self-efficacy, employee empowerment and subordinate creativity. Here, a model is improved and experimentally examined based on the knowledge cloud, transformational leadership, motivational goal orientation, self-efficacy and employee empowerment to improve subordinate creativity using partial least squares (PLS) and data from car factories' employees in Beijing.

Findings

The study results show that knowledge cloud, transformational leadership, motivational goal orientation, self-efficacy and employee empowerment are strongly related to subordinate creativity. In addition to using the Sobel test, all four variables' mediating role (transformational leadership, motivational goal orientation, self-efficacy and employee empowerment) is confirmed.

Practical implications

A knowledge cloud can improve the stimulating subordinate creativity of employees through transformational leadership, motivational goal orientation, self-efficacy and employee empowerment. First, the human resources department must have some programs to improve the knowledge cloud's incentive. Second, creating an atmosphere of cooperation and trust among employees should enhance the knowledge cloud's effects.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that addresses the knowledge cloud's role in subordinate creativity in firms. This investigation also assists the creativity literature by testing the mediating effect of motivational goal orientation, transformational leadership, feelings of self-efficacy and employee empowerment.

Citation

Xiao, W.H. and Wang, M. (2023), "A new conceptual model for assessing the role of knowledge cloud in stimulating subordinate creativity", Kybernetes, Vol. 52 No. 1, pp. 75-96. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-11-2020-0828