The Mediating role of Knowledge-Oriented Leadership Between Bureaucratic Culture and Knowledge Creation: The case of Public Universities in Northern Iraq

Research purpose: The purpose of this study is to test the impact of bureaucratic culture on knowledge creation and how this nexus is mediated by Knowledge-oriented leadership. Research Problem: Bureaucracy as the identity of organizations in Northern of Iraq has been the center of discourses for reform and change. Managers have tried to harmonize knowledge management within the bureaucratic system in public sector but that has not led to success yet. A part of the problem manifests itself form the leadership side as well, however the knowledge-oriented leadership may play a positive role to facilitate knowledge management practices within a bureaucratic culture of organizations. Research Method: This empirical study is based on a sample of 175 employees working in different public universities located in the North of Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan). Findings: The results show that the bureaucratic culture is negatively related to the knowledge creation and this relationship is partially mediated by the knowledge-oriented leadership. Research Implications: The results of this study will be an additional to the existing literature because it the first attempt in its kind that has been conducted in an untested context. Also, the investigated public universities can enhance their knowledge management Practices by implementing knowledge-oriented leadership style.