THE MEDIATING ROLE OF ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION, KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT, AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT AMONG ACADEMICIAN IN CHINESE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTES

Fang ZhengKang; Mohd Faiz Mohd Yaakob; Sock Beei Yeap

doi:10.22437/jiituj.v9i1.37224

Authors

Fang ZhengKang Universiti Utara Malaysia
Mohd Faiz Mohd Yaakob
Sock Beei Yeap Universiti Utara Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22437/jiituj.v9i1.37224

Keywords:

Knowledge Management, Leadership Communication, Organizational Commitment, Organizational Learning

Abstract

This study investigates the mediating role of organizational learning (OL) in the relationship between leadership communication (LC), knowledge management (KM), and organizational commitment (OC) among academic staff in Chinese higher education institutions. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 402 academic staff and analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The model tested the direct effects of LC and KM on OL and their subsequent impact on OC. The results reveal that LC significantly influences OL (B = 0.615, p < 0.001), while KM also has a positive and significant effect on OL (B = 0.203, p < 0.001). OL, in turn, plays a crucial role in enhancing OC (B = 0.754, p < 0.001). Importantly, OL mediates the relationship between LC and OC (B = 0.464, p < 0.001) and between KM and OC (B = 0.153, p < 0.001). The model demonstrated high explanatory power, with OL accounting for 70.2% of its variance (R² = 0.702) and OC explaining 58.5% (R² = 0.585). This research uniquely integrates OL as a mediator in the triadic relationship between LC, KM, and OC, offering new insights into how organizational learning strengthens organizational commitment. It enriches the underexplored context of Chinese higher education and provides practical recommendations for academic leaders and policymakers. By fostering a learning-centric environment, institutions can enhance knowledge-sharing practices, improve communication strategies, and build long-term organizational loyalty among academic staff.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Fang ZhengKang, Universiti Utara Malaysia

School of Education, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia

Sock Beei Yeap, Universiti Utara Malaysia

School of Education, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia

References

Ahmad, H. B., Asaad, R. R., Almufti, S. M., Hani, A. A., Sallow, A. B., & Zeebaree, S. R. (2024). Smart home energy saving with big data and machine learning. Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Terapan Universitas Jambi, 8(1), 11-20. https://doi.org/10.22437/jiituj.v8i1.32598.

Ahmad, K. Z., & Bakar, R. A. (2003). The association between training and organizational commitment among white-collar worker in Malaysia. International journal of training and development, 7(3), 166-185. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2419.00179.

Angelakis, A., Inwinkl, P., Berndt, A., Ozturkcan, S., Zelenajova, A., & Rozkopal, V. (2024). Gender differences in leaders’ crisis communication: a sentiment-based analysis of German higher education leaderships’ online posts. Studies in Higher Education, 49(4), 609-622. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2023.2246505.

Babbie, E. (2007). The Practice of Social Research. Thompson Wadsworth, Belmont.

Barnett, E. (2021). Towards an alternative approach to the implementation of education policy: A capabilities framework. Issues in Educational Research. 31(2),387–403.

Binti M, M., & Adeshina, A. N. G. (2024). Exploring the effectiveness of the learning cycle model in enhancing mathematics learning for students. Interval: Indonesian Journal of Mathematical Education, 2(2), 99-105. https://doi.org/10.37251/ijome.v2i2.1144.

Blake, R., & Mouton, J. (1964). The Managerial Grid: The Key to Leadership Excellence. edited by G. P. Company.

Bui, H, & Yehuda, B. (2010). “Creating learning organizations: A systems perspective.” The Learning Organization, 17(3), 208–27. https://doi.org/10.1108/09696471011034919.

Dele-Ajayi, O., Anderson, E., Strachan, R., Alufa, F., Ayodele, V., Okoli, A., & Fasae, K. (2021, April). Widening the aspirations of young people towards digital and wider stem careers: a case study from the DIGISTEM Programme. In 2021 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON) (pp. 235-243). IEEE.

Demarest, M. (1997). Understanding knowledge management. Long range planning, 30(3), 374-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0024-6301(97)90250-8.

Drucker, P. (1959). The Landmarks of Tomorrow. Harper and Row, New York.

Eriksson, K. M., & Lycke, L. (2024). May the force of lifelong learning be with you–sustainable organizational learning in HEIs meeting competence needs in industry. The Learning Organization. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-12-2022-0158.

Farley, A. N., Leonardi, B., & Donnor, J. K. (2021). Perpetuating inequalities: The role of political distraction in education policy. Educational Policy, 35(2), 163-179. https://doi.org/10.1177/0895904820987992.

Fiedler, F. (1967). A Theory of Leadership Effectiveness. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Filius, R. E., de Jong, J. A., & Roelofs, E. C. (2000). Knowledge management in the HRD office: a comparison of three cases. Journal of Workplace Learning, 12(7), 286-295. https://doi.org/10.1108/13665620010353360.

Galán-Muros, V., van der Sijde, P., Groenewegen, P., & Baaken, T. (2017). Nurture over nature: How do European universities support their collaboration with business?. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 42, 184-205. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-015-9451-6.

Garson, G. D. (2012). Testing Statistical Assumptions. Statistical Associates Publishing.

Habibi, A., Mukminin, A., & Sofyan, S. (2024). Access to the digital technology of urban and suburban vocational schools. Education and Information Technologies, 29(4), 4197-4222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12006-x.

Habibi, A., Riady, Y., Samed Al-Adwan, A., & Awni Albelbisi, N. (2023). Beliefs and knowledge for pre-service teachers’ technology integration during teaching practice: An extended theory of planned behavior. Computers in the Schools, 40(2), 107-132. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380569.2022.2124752.

Habibi, A., Yusop, F. D., & Razak, R. A. (2020). The role of TPACK in affecting pre-service language teachers’ ICT integration during teaching practices: Indonesian context. Education and Information Technologies, 25(3), 1929-1949. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-10040-2.

Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European business review, 31(1), 2-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203.

Halimah, H., Putri , D. E., Wulandari, W., Adewumi, S. E., & Arce-Calderón, X. (2024). Contextual pop up book as an innovative learning media in social science subjects in elementary schools. Journal of Educational Technology and Learning Creativity, 2(2), 209-216. https://doi.org/10.37251/jetlc.v2i2.1121.

Hancock, L., & Nuttman, S. (2014). Engaging higher education institutions in the challenge of sustainability: sustainable transport as a catalyst for action. Journal of cleaner production, 62, 62-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.07.062.

Hasibuan, S., Chu, C. T., & Godh, W. A. (2024). Enhancing creative thinking in circle topics through the realistic mathematics learning approach. Interval: Indonesian Journal of Mathematical Education, 2(2), 106-114. https://doi.org/10.37251/ijome.v2i2.1148.

Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2015). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the academy of marketing science, 43, 115-135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8.

Hersey, P., & Blanchard, K. H. (1969). Life cycle theory of leadership. Training & Development Journal. 23(5):26–34.

Huber, G. P. (1991). Organizational learning: The contributing processes and the literatures. Organization science, 2(1), 88-115. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2.1.88.

Kanwal, F., & Rehman, M. (2017). Factors affecting e-learning adoption in developing countries–empirical evidence from Pakistan’s higher education sector. Ieee Access, 5, 10968-10978. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2017.2714379.

Kanwal, S., Nunes, M. B., & Arif, M. (2019, September). Exploring knowledge sharing practices in higher education: A Pakistani perspective. In European Conference on Knowledge Management (pp. 601-XXIV). Academic Conferences International Limited.

Kezar, A., & Eckel, P. D. (2004). Meeting today's governance challenges: A synthesis of the literature and examination of a future agenda for scholarship. The journal of higher education, 75(4), 371-399. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.2004.11772264.

Krejcie, R. V. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational Psychol Meas. 30(3). 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308.

Loermans, J. (2002). Synergizing the learning organization and knowledge management. Journal of knowledge management, 6(3), 285-294. https://doi.org/10.1108/13673270210434386.

Marsick, V. J., & Watkins, K. E. (2003). Demonstrating the value of an organization's learning culture: the dimensions of the learning organization questionnaire. Advances in developing human resources, 5(2), 132-151. https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422303005002002.

Melinda, S., Feizi, F., & Monfared, P. N. (2024). Transforming religious learning with macromedia flash 8: improving students’ understanding of the material on faith in the apostles. Journal of Educational Technology and Learning Creativity, 2(2), 201-208. https://doi.org/10.37251/jetlc.v2i2.1100.

Meyer, J. P. (1997). Commitment in the workplace: Theory, research, and application. SAGE

Miklosik, A., Evans, N., & Hlavaty, I. (2023). Communicating knowledge-focus through websites of higher education institutions. Journal of Information Science, 49(3), 666-684. https://doi.org/10.1177/01655515211014475.

Mishra, A. K., & Upadhyay, R. K. (2021). Effect of organisational learning and knowledge management on organisational performance in HEI, India. International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 14(2), 101-120. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJKL.2021.115275.

Muis, A., Pholboon, M., & Kamali, A. N. (2024). Geomics as interactive geography learning media: A development study on environmental material in high schools. Journal of Educational Technology and Learning Creativity, 2(2), 192-200. https://doi.org/10.37251/jetlc.v2i2.1089.

Nazaruddin, I., Sofyani, H., & Utami, T. P. (2024). Promoting Performance Measurement System Effectiveness in Higher Education Institution: Antecedents and Consequences. BAR-Brazilian Administration Review, 21(2), e230070. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-7692bar2024230070.

Nirmala, B. P. W., Utami, N. W., & Nirmala, B. M. S. (2020). Sistem informasi marketplace penyewaan kendaraan berbasis website di Nusa Penida, Bali. Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Terapan Universitas Jambi, 4(2), 88-98. https://doi.org/10.22437/jiituj.v4i2.11598.

Nonaka, I. (1994). A dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation. Organization science, 5(1), 14-37. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.5.1.14.

Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2012). Sources of method bias in social science research and recommendations on how to control it. Annual review of psychology, 63(1), 539-569. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-120710-100452.

Podsakoff, P. M., & Organ, D. W. (1986). Self-reports in organizational research: Problems and prospects. Journal of management, 12(4), 531-544. https://doi.org.10.1177/014920638601200408.

Rahmayanti, M., & Kwalat, K. S. (2024). Comparison of mathematics learning outcomes between students taught using direct teaching and discovery learning models. Interval: Indonesian Journal of Mathematical Education, 2(2), 115-123. https://doi.org/10.37251/ijome.v2i2.1185.

Rini, E. F. S., Oktavia, W. D., & Hong, D. H. (2024). The relationship of motivation and physics learning outcomes using the learning cycle 5E model. EduFisika: Jurnal Pendidikan Fisika, 9(1), 81-87. https://doi.org/10.59052/edufisika.v9i1.29642.

Santos-Rodrigues, H., Gupta, P., & Carlson, R. (2015). Exploiting intellectual capital for economic renewal. International Journal of Innovation Science, 7(1), 13-26. https://doi.org/10.1260/1757-2223.7.1.13.

Schneider, F. M., Maier, M., Lovrekovic, S., & Retzbach, A. (2015). The perceived leadership communication questionnaire (PLCQ): Development and validation. The Journal of psychology, 149(2), 175-192. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2013.864251.

Schoenborn, P., Osborne, R., Toms, N., Johnstone, K., Milsom, C., Muneer, R., Jarvis, J., & Belshaw, R. (2019). OncoSim and OncoWiki: an authentic learning approach to teaching cancer genomics. BMC Medical Education, 19, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-019-1812-7.

Sharif, S., Malik, S. A., Arooj, N., & Albadry, O. M. (2024). Human resource management (HRM) practices and organizational commitment in higher educational institution (HEI): a mediating role for work engagement. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-11-2023-0456.

Simamora, N. N., Kimball, D. F. J., Maulana, R. C. D., & Sunarmi, N. (2024). The influence of a guided inquiry learning model on student motivation and learning outcomes on solar system material. EduFisika: Jurnal Pendidikan Fisika, 9(1), 93-103. https://doi.org/10.59052/edufisika.v9i1.29681.

Sofwan, M., Habibi, A., Attar, R. W., Alqahtani, T. M., Alahmari, S. A., & Alhazmi, A. H. (2024). Factors affecting teachers’ behavior of innovative teaching with technology: Structural equation modelling. Sustainability, 16(19), 8496. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198496.

Souza, C. P. D. S., & Takahashi, A. R. W. (2019). Dynamic capabilities, organizational learning and ambidexterity in a higher education institution. The Learning Organization, 26(4), 397-411. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-03-2018-0047.

Stogdill, R. M. (1948). Personal factors associated with leadership: A survey of the literature. The Journal of psychology, 25(1), 35-71. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.1948.9917362.

Sunandar, S., Alvarez, A. S. I., & Cardozo, C. A. (2024). The influence of the use of role playing methods and interest in learning on the english speaking ability. Tekno - Pedagogi : Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan, 14(1), 16-24. https://doi.org/10.22437/teknopedagogi.v14i1.32519.

Sundari, S., & Hertuti, A. (2022). Fun learning by applying competition and cooperation strategies through mathematical games. Tekno - Pedagogi : Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan, 12(1), 34-41. https://doi.org/10.22437/teknopedagogi.v12i1.32509

Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2007). Using multivariate statistics. Allyn & Bacon/Pearson Education.

Tani, M., Xu, L., & Zhu, Y. (2021). The impact of an un (der) funded inclusive education policy: Evidence from the 2013 China education panel survey. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 190, 768-784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2021.08.024.

Wirnayanti, W., Craig, J., & Malatjie, J. F. (2024). Comparing the impact of problem solving vs. problem posing approaches on mathematics achievement in junior high school. Interval: Indonesian Journal of Mathematical Education, 2(2), 90-98. https://doi.org/10.37251/ijome.v2i2.1094.

Yusof, M. R., Awang, H., Yaakob, M. F. M., Jaafar, M. F., Ibrahim, M. Y., & Chaw, P. L. (2023). The sustainability of technology-aided leadership adoption among school leaders: If it could ever be this real forever. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education. 12(1). 412–420. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v12i1.22376.

Zahrawi, A. (2019, September). Establishing a framework for knowledge management in higher education institution. In European Conference on Knowledge Management (pp. 1114-XXVIII). Academic Conferences International Limited.

Zakiyah, Z., Boonma, K., & Collado, R. (2024). Physics learning innovation: song and animation-based media as a learning solution for mirrors and lenses for junior high school students. Journal of Educational Technology and Learning Creativity, 2(2), 183-191. https://doi.org/10.37251/jetlc.v2i2.1062.