Workplace creativity and job satisfaction of academic librarians: A perspective of distributed leadership theory

Abstract

Distributed leadership (DL) is a less focused area in librarianship and further limited literature in the context of workplace creativity and job satisfaction. This study investigates the impact of DL dimensions (decision making, delegation of authority, and motivation) on workplace creativity and job satisfaction in the academic libraries of Pakistan. A quantitative research approach was used and data was collected through an adapted questionnaire. A purposive sampling method was used, and the data was collected from 241 library professionals. The findings revealed that library professionals favor the DL in libraries. The regression model revealed that two DL dimensions (decision making and motivation) have a significant positive impact on workplace creativity and job satisfaction, whereas the ‘delegation of authority’ did not impact workplace creativity. The library professionals considered ‘creativity’ as the core function of leadership. However, they offer suggestions and let the leadership decide to implement them. The library directors need to provide independence and authority to the middle-managers while delegating authority so that they make decisions, learn, and perform better when they ascend to leadership positions. Theoretical and practical implications were added with the context that DL provides an opportunity to utilize the potential of the team members to foster creativity and job satisfaction in the academic libraries. This study fills a gap in the research and looks at how DL affects creativity at work and job satisfaction in libraries.