Gender disparity in leadership boosts affective commitment and tacit knowledge sharing about libraries

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to use an authentic leadership style to explore that whether male or female leadership of private academic institutions highly influences affective organizational commitment and tacit knowledge sharing among the library teachers. Additionally, this study encompasses the trust of library teachers and justifies whether the trust under male or female leadership highly moderates the effect on tacit knowledge sharing. Design/methodology/approach By using structural equation modeling, this study tests two leadership models (e.g. male and female leadership models). Using a convenient sampling approach, the researcher collects data from library teachers of private academic institutions in district Sheikhupura, Pakistan through face-to-face interaction. The study administered 650 survey questionnaires among the library teachers; however, 403 questionnaires were answered validly and reliably. The response rate was 62%. Findings The study found the direct and indirect effect of authentic leadership on affective organizational commitment and tacit knowledge sharing however, male authentic leadership influence on affective organizational commitment and tacit knowledge sharing was quite higher than female authentic leadership. Resultantly, the library teachers were more committed to sharing tacit knowledge under male leadership than female. Nevertheless, the moderating role of trust was found in female leadership but not in male leadership. Simply, the library teachers under male leadership were hesitant to trust others, so the chain of sharing hidden ideas and image of libraries was not found in male leadership. Practical implications Private academic institutions need authentic leaders to shape the knowledge economy of libraries and the structure of the academic institutions. For this reason, this study provides practical implications for managers that male leadership should be hired in academic institutions because it has a higher influence on librarians’ commitment and tacit knowledge sharing among peers as compare to female leadership. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first study that differentiates the capabilities and skills of male and female authentic leadership in private academic institutions. Further, it suggests hiring male leaders in these institutions.