Leadership for quality 4.0: development and validation of a multidimensional measure

Abstract

Successful implementation of Quality 4.0 (Q4.0) requires leadership, but the understanding of such leadership among scholars and practitioners is insufficient. The purpose of this paper is to explore a leadership scale to provide insights. This study develops the scale via 3 independent samples of quality personnel according to Hinkin's recommended scale development process. Exploratory factor analysis sheds light on the tri-dimensional structure of the scale, which comprises task-oriented, change-oriented, and relations-oriented behaviours. The results are affirmed by confirmatory factor analysis, which also demonstrates satisfactory reliability and construct validity. To further explore the predictive validity of leadership and delve deeper into its mechanics, based on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, this study identifies connectivity and challenge stressors as keys to the ‘Black Box’ of the relationship between leadership and thriving at work. Structural equation modelling suggests that leadership has a positive influence on thriving at work, connectivity, and challenge stressors. Connectivity and challenge stressors mediate the relationship between leadership and thriving at work. The Q4.0 leadership scale can be used as a guideline for organisations embracing Q4.0 to select and appoint managers, as well as for quality leaders to evaluate and improve themselves.

Keywords:

• Quality 4.0
• quality management
• leadership
• scale development
• thriving at work

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the [National Natural Science Foundation of China] under [grant numbers 72661147706, 72231005, 72171166]; [Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China] under [grant number LQ19G020008]; and [Fundamental Research Funds for the Provincial Universities of Zhejiang] under [grant number 2022YW59].