Impact of knowledge leadership on the challenges and innovative performance of virtual teams: an empirical examination in oil sector companies

This study aims at exploring the relations between the knowledge leadership, overcoming virtual teams (VTs) challenges and VTs' innovative performance in organisations involved in the Iraqi northern oil sector. For this purpose, the descriptive analytical approach was used, where an online survey (including 34 items in the context of the three main variables) was designed to collect data and information from more than 10 oil companies. Using the structural equation modelling on SPSS v.23 and AMOS v.24, the study data has been analysed. The study found that there is a direct, indirect, positive and significant relationship between the main variables. The study suggests that all skills and behaviours of knowledge leadership must be adopted to overcome the challenges faced by VTs. Additionally, these skills and behaviours help leaders to invest all subordinates' efforts for improving the VTs' innovative performance.