Knowledge-oriented leadership, team learning and team creativity: the roles of task interdependence and task complexity

Purpose Organizations is increasingly depending on team creativity to create a sustainable competitive advantage. The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between knowledge-oriented leadership and team creativity. Design/methodology/approach The hypotheses were tested with a sample of 89 knowledge worker teams consisting of 412 employees and employers in China. Findings Results show that knowledge-oriented leadership is positively associated with team creativity, mediated by team learning. Additionally, task interdependence and task complexity can strengthen the positive relation between team learning and team creativity. Originality/value The study is the first to explore the relation between knowledge-oriented leadership and team creativity and the moderating role of task interdependence and task complexity in the relation between team learning and team creativity.