Abstract Based on hierarchical functional theory, this study examines survey data from 169 managers and 555 employees across 101 teams and employs polynomial regression and response surface analysis to explore how vertical and horizontal leadership distribution influence team knowledge transfer efficiency through knowledge conflict, as well as the moderating effect of environmental complexity in this process. The results indicate that the greater imbalance in the vertical and horizontal leadership intensity, the lower the level of team knowledge conflict. Compared to the horizontal-dominant leadership, the vertical-dominant leadership leads to a lower level of team knowledge conflict. Knowledge conflict mediates the effect of vertical and horizontal leadership on team knowledge transfer efficiency. Environment complexity enhances the impact of vertical and horizontal leadership on knowledge conflicts, and strengthens the mediating effect of team knowledge conflict on the relationship between vertical and horizontal leadership and knowledge transfer efficiency.
FENG Yan,LYU Hongjiang. Research on the Influence Mechanism of Vertical and Horizontal Leadership Distribution on Team Knowledge Transfer Efficiency[J]. Chinese Journal of Management, 2025, 22(4): 646-.
