The relationship of various leadership styles to knowledge management

Abstract

Behavioural and interpersonal skills most often cited as essential for successful knowledge management (acquisition). Unfortunately, little is known about the roles played by leadership in the process of knowledge acquisition. A survey of 227 persons who are, or have been engaged in knowledge acquisition activities was undertaken to investigate the relationship between different leadership style dimensions and a number of knowledge acquisition attributes. Results indicate that the leadership styles that involve human interaction and encourage participative decision‐making processes are positively related to the skills and traits that are essential for knowledge management.