A cross-cultural meta-analysis of transformational leadership- performance outcomes relationship

Abstract

We conducted a “meta-analytic” study of the link among transformational leadership and performance outcomes (citizenship behavior, task performance, and innovation) employing data from over 121,385 consumers, 519 samples and 39 nations. We examined whether this link is moderated by national cultural and research design at three various levels. The results revealed that transformational leadership has a positive effect on citizenship behavior, task performance, and innovation regardless of national cultures. Nonetheless, this influence is greater in societies with high degree of individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and power distance. Furthermore, the results revealed that measurement instruments, time lag, and data sources play a significant role in explaining the results of the previous studies. These results proposes that performance outcomes in various cultures could be improved by investing in transformational leadership, but this strategy is more effective and benefit for firms in societies with high degree of individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and power distance.