Learning stocks and flows: the role of transactional and transformational leadership

Purpose This paper aims to examine the role of transactional and transformational leadership in enhancing learning stocks and flows for optimizing the learning potential of an organization. Design/methodology/approach Working professionals in India responded to a survey questionnaire. The responses of 412 employees were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling to examine the impact of transactional and transformational leadership on learning flows. Findings The study findings indicate that transformational and transactional leadership behaviors positively influence feed-forward and feedback learning flows at the individual level and strengthen the employees’ learning stock. This study does not find any evidence to support the moderating effect of transformational (transactional) leadership behaviors on feed-forward (feedback) learning flows for learning at the individual level. Originality/value The results of this study empirically support the theoretical claim that transactional and transformational leadership behaviors influence learning flows in an organization for learning at the individual level.