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Linking shared leadership and project success in virtual project teams: a moderated mediation model of teamwork and project complexity

Hussain Ali, Jiang Yushi

Strategy & Leadership

ISSN: 1087-8572

Article publication date: 26 November 2024

Issue publication date: 5 December 2024

210

Abstract

Purpose

In the modern virtual workplace, an organization's ability to complete projects successfully is essential to its future sustainability. Identifying the factors that contribute to successful project outcomes is crucial in project management research. This study seeks to examine how shared leadership affects the quality of teamwork and the success of information system development projects. It also explores how project complexity affects the success of information system development (ISD) projects in the context of virtual project teams, which are usually made up of knowledge workers with a lot of experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from 509 virtual ISD project team members in Pakistan were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with bootstrapping to assess the effects of shared leadership on teamwork quality and project success. The study also assessed the mediation role of teamwork and the moderation effect of project complexity on the mediation effect of teamwork quality between shared leadership and project success relationship.

Findings

The study found a positive correlation between shared leadership, teamwork quality, and project success. This study also revealed that teamwork quality mediates the association between shared leadership and project success. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that teamwork quality and project complexity moderate-mediate the relationship between shared leadership and project success.

Practical implications

Shared leadership enhances project success in virtual teams by improving teamwork. It requires investment in team development and collaboration initiatives, which ultimately lead to project success.

Originality/value

The findings complement previous research with new insights on behavioral dimensions of shared leadership and their effects on outcomes on the level of the individual. To date, no prior study has employed this nascent methodology to investigate the relationship between shared leadership and project success.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors extend their heartfelt gratitude to the study participants, colleagues, and the supporting institution for their invaluable contributions and support. It should be noted that this research did not receive financial assistance from any external organizations or individuals. The authors also acknowledge the use of AI models to enhance textual clarity and ensure grammatical accuracy in this research article.

Declaration of Interest Statement: The authors of this paper declare no conflicts of interest related to the research presented. This research was conducted with the primary goal of advancing knowledge in the field of management information systems and project management. No financial or non-financial interests have influenced the design, execution, or reporting of this study. We are committed to transparent and ethical research practices.

Citation

Ali, H. and Yushi, J. (2024), "Linking shared leadership and project success in virtual project teams: a moderated mediation model of teamwork and project complexity", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 52 No. 5/6, pp. 82-99. https://doi.org/10.1108/SL-09-2024-0103

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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