Encouraging Creative Deviation by Authoritarian Leaders via Empowering Employees

Abstract

Background & P‌‌u‌‌‌r‌‌‌‌p‌‌o‌‌use: The success of knowledge-based organizations requires the promotion of creativity and innovation, and sometimes it requires the courage to act beyond the redundant and cumbersome bureaucratic rules. Thus, the present study has dealt with the role of authoritarian leadership in encouraging creative deviation among employees by encouraging them to dare. Methodology: This is an applied and descriptive survey research. The statistical population consisted of employees of knowledge-based organizations in Lorestan Province, Iran, of whom 309 employees were selected as a statistical sample. The data collection tool used in this study was a questionnaire. In fact, its validity was assessed by content validity method, and its reliability was evaluated using C‌‌r‌‌o‌‌n‌‌b‌‌a‌‌c‌‌h‌‌‌'s alpha method. The data was analyzed by structural equation modeling using Smart Software Pilates and SPSS. Findings: Authoritarian leaders make a positive and significant effect on moral deviation both directly and through employees' assertiveness. Conclusion: Managers of knowledge-based organizations can strengthen the capacity and daring of employees to think and act beyond the existing bureaucratic constraints, and thus this will lead to enhancing their creative and innovative performance.

Keywords

• keywords: authoritarian leaders
• creativity and innovation
• employee daring
• encouraging creative deviation
• knowledge-based organizations