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Does Thought Leadership Enhance Managerial Performance? Mediating Role of Social-skills and Moderating the Role of Gender

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Nii Okaijah Welbeck

    (Department of Business Administration, UPSA Accra)

  • Kofi Amponsah-Bediako

    (Human Resource Department, Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), Ghana)

  • Emmanuel Selase Asamoah

    (Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies, UPSA Accra)

  • Aba Quayson

    (Department of Business Administration, UPSA Accra)

  • David Mensah Awadzie

    (Accounting and Finance, Wisconsin International University College, Ghana)

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of thought leadership in enhancing managerial performance with a specific focus on the mediating role of social-skills and the moderating role of gender. This study employs a cross-sectional quantitative approach deploying a questionnaire to collect data from 523 line managers of registered SMEs in Ghana. The findings signal a significant and positive linkage between thought leadership and managerial performance mediated by social-skills. However, gender has no significant moderating effect on this relationship. The study emphasises the need for owner-managers to invest in the acquisition of thought leadership and social-skills to improve the performance and sustainability of their organisations. These results have important implications for managerial training and development in SMEs and provide a basis for future research in this area.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Nii Okaijah Welbeck & Kofi Amponsah-Bediako & Emmanuel Selase Asamoah & Aba Quayson & David Mensah Awadzie, 2025. "Does Thought Leadership Enhance Managerial Performance? Mediating Role of Social-skills and Moderating the Role of Gender," Acta Universitatis Bohemiae Meridionalis, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Economics, vol. 28(1), pages 14-33.
    • Handle: RePEc:boh:actaub:v:28:y:2025:i:1:p:14-33
    DOI: 10.32725/acta.2025.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Muhammad Waseem Bari & Faiq Mahmood & Qurrah-tul-ain & Mohsin Bashir & Muhammad Usman, 2021. "The role of instrumental guanxi in the relation between entrepreneurs’ social competence and firms’ financial performance: A comparative study," Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(1), pages 243-265, January.
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    3. Yow Hong Tay & Osaro Aigbogun, 2024. "Leadership styles and business performance: a study of service-based SMEs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Klang Valley, Malaysia," International Journal of Business Performance Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 25(1), pages 50-68.
    4. Marisa Turesky & Mildred E. Warner, 2020. "Gender Dynamics in the Planning Workplace," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 86(2), pages 157-170, April.
    5. Rabiatul Adawiyah Ma'arof & Umi Kartini Rashid & Juzaimi Nasuredin, 2024. "A Conceptual Framework on Factors Influencing Nurses’ Job Performance," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 16(1), pages 173-181.
    6. Azam Malik & Nasreen Khan, 2020. "An Investigation On Leadership Styles For The Business Productivity And Sustainability Of Small Medium Enterprises (Sme’S)," International Journal of Entrepreneurship, Allied Business Academies, vol. 24(5).
    7. Ben Weidmann & David J. Deming, 2021. "Team Players: How Social Skills Improve Team Performance," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 89(6), pages 2637-2657, November.
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    JEL classification:

    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General

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