Determinants of innovation performance: influence of knowledge-oriented leadership, knowledge sharing and organizational justice

Purpose Due to the vital role of innovation for firms to respond to the change and achieve competitive advantage, the purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of knowledge-oriented leadership (KOL) on innovation performance via the mediating role of knowledge sharing (KS). This study also explores the moderating role of organizational justice in the relationship between KS and innovation performance. Design/methodology/approach Analysis of moment structures and structural equation modeling are applied to examine the relationship among the latent factors in the proposed research model using data collected from 335 participants in 121 manufacturing and service firms in Vietnam. Findings The findings revealed that KOL serves as a key precursor to foster innovation performance directly or indirectly through active and passive KS behaviors. In addition, the paper highlights the moderating role of organizational justice in strengthening the impact of KS activities on innovation performance. Research limitations/implications By highlighting the important role of KOL for stimulating KS behaviors, this paper provides a valuable understanding and novel approach for firms to improve innovation performance. The research findings support the idea that building a climate of justice is crucial to enhance the effects of KS on innovation performance. Originality/value This study contributes to bridging the research gaps in the literature and advances the insights of how KOL directly and indirectly stimulates innovation performance via mediating roles of active and passive KS processes under the climate of justice.