Knowledge conversion processes and leadership: an exploratory study of Taiwanese managers

This research explored the extent to which different knowledge conversion processes require different kinds of leadership. The research was inspired by Nonaka and Konno (1998) and proposed that knowledge conversion processes may each require their own form of leadership because they are conducted under different bas or contexts. Vera and Crossan's (2004) work provided a foundation for this research through the argument that knowledge conversion processes need not only transformational but also transactional leadership. The leadership framework based upon transformational and transactional leadership was therefore adopted for the study. Semi-structured interviews and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), developed by Bernard Bass and Bruce Avolio to assess leadership under the transformational and transactional leadership framework, were used to gauge the opinions of participants about leadership and knowledge conversion processes. Scenarios/descriptions derived from Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) were used to focus the mindset of the participants involved in the interviews and the questionnaire, which was administered at the time of the interviews to support triangulation. Findings suggested that knowledge conversion processes do not differ to the extent that they require both transformational and transactional leadership. However, qualitative evidence indicated that knowledge conversion processes were somewhat different in terms of certain dimensions of transformational leadership. These differences related to the need for a strong sense of purpose, a compelling vision of the future and long-termism in some but not all situations involving the leadership of knowledge conversion processes.