Is the DLOQ learning-oriented leadership isomorphic? Learning-oriented leadership mediates hierarchical teams’ learning dimensions
ISSN: 0969-6474
Article publication date: 2 December 2020
Issue publication date: 28 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
Learning organizations are often theorized at a team level, yet there is a lack of team-level studies. This study aims to evaluate if team-level dimensions of a learning organizational questionnaire (DLOQ) measures are reliable and reflect real team properties and if both individual-level and team-level DLOQ leadership mediates the effect of rank on other DLOQ measures.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical analysis evaluated if team-level DLOQ measures are reliable and reflected real team properties and if DLOQ learning-oriented leadership mediates the effect of rank or team hierarchy on all other DLOQ measures. A novel approach (random group resampling) was used to evaluate if team level measures reflected either a real team property or a statistical artifact. Next, a series of mediation models evaluated if learning-oriented leadership was isomorphic, namely, displays a similar pattern at both individual and team levels.
Findings
The analysis found team-level DLOQ measures reflected real properties of the teams and were reliable and learning-oriented leadership mediates between rank and team hierarchy and the other six dimensions at both individual and team-levels (i.e. DLOQ team and individual level were isomorphic).
Practical implications
The results show that hierarchical teams’ learning capacities can be improved by focusing on the learning-oriented leadership, which overcomes the typically negative effect of hierarchical differences within teams.
Originality/value
This study provides a significant step forward by applying an innovative analysis that shows that the DLOQ team level measures reflect real team properties and DLOQ leadership displays isomorphic characteristics.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to whole-heartedly thank the reviewers for their unfailing support and insights (especially appreciated during the COVID-19 pandemic). Thanks also to Dr Ruchi Sinha (University of South Australia), Maya Drobnjak and Dr Rebecca Heyer (Defence Science and Technology, Australia), and, finally, thanks to the men and women of the Australian Army for their service. In particular, thanks to Army Headquarters for their ongoing support during the archival study.
Citation
Stothard, C. (2021), "Is the DLOQ learning-oriented leadership isomorphic? Learning-oriented leadership mediates hierarchical teams’ learning dimensions", The Learning Organization, Vol. 28 No. 4, pp. 352-366. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-02-2020-0027
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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