Vocational education teachers’ personal network at school as a resource for innovative work behaviour

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Messmann ◽  
Regina H. Mulder ◽  
Tuire Palonen

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the role of characteristics of vocational education teachers’ personal network at the workplace for determining the resources that enable them to cope with innovation-related demands at work. Design/methodology/approach A survey study with 48 vocational education teachers is carried out. Social network analysis, correlation analysis, and a comparative descriptive analysis of cluster profiles of teachers’ personal network at the workplace are carried out. Findings This study provides evidence for the role of network size as a facilitator of innovative work behaviour (IWB) outside the classroom. However, smaller networks can also support the development of innovations if they contain dense interactions with experienced, innovative professionals. Research limitations/implications This study implies to further investigate the role of network size in relation to the kind of network interactions (e.g. density of interactions and experience of members) in the context of larger and versatile work contexts. Practical implications This study implies that organisations should provide structures, tasks and events (e.g. interdisciplinary work teams and boundary crossing events) that enable employees to build network connections that help them to manage work-related demands. Employees themselves should reflect on their personal interaction preferences, their specific needs for support and the availability of co-workers who can provide this support. Originality/value This study contributes to the discourse on the relationship between professional networks and the development of innovations. Especially, the social work context and its role for IWB have hardly been investigated from a network perspective.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Baafi ◽  
Abraham Ansong ◽  
Kennedy Etse Dogbey ◽  
Nicodemus Osei Owusu

PurposeThis study explores the role of transformational leadership, transactional leadership and resource supply in enhancing innovative work behaviour using the mediation model.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data was gathered from 314 local government staff from the six metropolitan assemblies in Ghana. Structural equation modelling was used for the analysis.FindingsThe results suggest that transformational and transactional leadership behaviours provided an impetus for innovative behaviours. Also, resource supply was found to mediate the relationship between transformational leadership behaviours and innovative work behaviour.Practical implicationsPublic managers can improve the innovative behaviour of public servants by providing resources for innovation, setting up proper reward structures, communicating vision clearly and clarifying performance expectations.Originality/valueThis is the first study to investigate innovative work behaviour within the Ghanaian local government sector and the context of a developing country in Africa. The study extends the literature on innovative work behaviour by exploring the role of leadership and resource supply.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matej Grošelj ◽  
Matej Černe ◽  
Sandra Penger ◽  
Barbara Grah

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the moderating role of psychological empowerment on the relationships between authentic leadership and innovative work behaviour, as well as transformational leadership and innovative work behaviour.Design/methodology/approachWe have applied the mixed-method research on the selected case study. The quantitative field study was conducted on a sample of 126 employees in a multinational technological company. A series of paired sample t-tests were followed by a hierarchical regression analysis to test the hypotheses. The qualitative study consists of a content analysis of in-depth semi-structured interviews with four leaders.FindingsThe research provides further confirmation of the positive relationship between leadership and innovative work behaviour. Specifically, the results showed that psychological empowerment moderates the relationship between leadership (authentic as well as transformational leadership) and innovative work behaviour.Originality/valueThis paper contributed to leadership and innovation literature and provided insights in studying the boundary conditions on the relationship between authentic leadership, as well as transformational leadership, in stimulating innovative work behaviour through the moderating role of psychological empowerment. The added value is expanded by introducing the comparison of the two leadership theories.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 145-158
Author(s):  
Jin-Feng Uen ◽  
Rama Krishna Kishore Vandavasi ◽  
Kun Lee ◽  
Prasanthi Yepuru ◽  
Vipin Saini

Purpose This study aims to test the cross-level effects of team job crafting on individual innovative work behaviour (IWB) and the mediating role of team psychological capital (PsyCap). Design/methodology/approach This longitudinal study tested a multilevel design in a sample of 163 employees, clustered into 45 teams. Job crafting and PsyCap were aggregated to the team level to examine the effects of team job crafting Time 1 on individual IWB Time 2. In addition, mediation analysis was tested to determine whether team-level job crafting Time 1 can affect individual IWB Time 2 through team PsyCap Time 2. Findings Results found that team job crafting was positively related to individual IWB, and the relationship was mediated by team PsyCap. Practical implications This study includes implications for adopting job crafting behaviour at the team level to improve individual IWB. Originality/value This cross-level study is the first to verify the effects of team job crafting on individual IWB and team PsyCap as a mediator. This study extends the literature on job crafting by using a multilevel design in the analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyndsey Middleton ◽  
Hazel Hall

PurposeOrganisational culture and leadership, employee skills and aptitudes, access to resources, and training are regularly cited as important determinants of the development of innovative work behaviour (IWB). The purpose of the work reported in this paper was to investigate a further set of possible determinants of the development of IWB: those that are information-related.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methods approach was adopted. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by questionnaire, interview and focus groups in three large public sector case study organisations in Scotland, Finland and England.FindingsA set of information-related determinants of the development of IWB is evidenced, adding to the list of determinants that are already well documented. Notably workplace information literacy (IL) appears to furnish a bridge between determinants of the development of IWB and workplace learning.Originality/valueThat information-related determinants may be valuable to the development of IWB has not previously merited specific consideration, nor been recognised, in the wider IWB literature. The identification of these determinants in this research should encourage researchers and professionals beyond the domain of information science to pay serious attention to IL. This is particularly important in respect of the role of workplace IL in processes that lead to new knowledge creation and innovation.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoa Thi Nhu Nguyen ◽  
Huong Thi Thien Nguyen ◽  
Anh Thi Lan Truong ◽  
Thao Thi Phuong Nguyen ◽  
Anh Van Nguyen

Purpose This paper aims to explore how entrepreneurial culture (EC) and psychological empowerment (PE) support innovative work behaviour (IWB) of employees in organizations. First, it examines the impact of EC on IWB. It also explores the mediating effect of PE to support the EC – IWB relationship. Accordingly, it suggests a mechanism model to explain the relationship between EC and IWB. Design/methodology/approach This is an empirical research using quantitative methods. Data were collected via both face-to-face and online surveys from 308 employees in Vietnamese enterprises. The partial least squares-based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was applied to test hypotheses in the research model. Findings Significant R-square values were achieved for both EC – PE and PE – IWB relationships, according to the PLS-SEM. The most interesting finding is the full mediating role of PE in the relationship between EC and IWB. Despite the non-significance in the direct impact of EC on IWB, the role of EC in promoting IWB is important in an indirect way through PE. The significant role of PE in facilitating IWB has been proven. Originality/value This research is one of the initial attempts to empirically build the roadmap from EC, as a typical type of organizational culture, through the mediating effect of PE to improve IWB. This roadmap provides top managers with a hierarchical view that effectively cascading interventions from the organizational level, such as EC, through a significant mediator as PE at the group level, and then down to IWB as a result at the individual level.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Upasna A. Agarwal

Purpose This paper aims to test the effects of perception of organizational politics (POPS) on work outcomes–work engagement, innovative work behaviour and turnover intention. Mediating role of work engagement and the moderating role of locus of control (LOC) on perceived organizational politics–outcome (innovative work behaviour and turnover intention) relationship was investigated. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from a sample of 302 full-time managerial employees in India. Results suggest that perceived organizational politics is significantly related to intention to quit and innovative work behaviour, and this relationship is partially mediated by work engagement. LOC moderates the organizational politics–work outcomes (work engagement and innovative work behaviour) relationship. Findings The current research demonstrates that availability of a work environment, where there are unfair decisions, nepotism and favoritism, is an impediment to engagement, innovative work behaviour and retention of managers. It behooves of top management therefore focusing on reducing POPS and subsequent deficits in motivation by providing clear feedback regarding which behaviours their organization desires. Research limitations/implications The study focused on POPS as reported by the employees and not on actual political behaviours. As the study did not cover all sectors, the results of this study should be interpreted with caution. Originality/value The study extended the current research stream of perceived organizational politics research to one of the underrepresented developing Asian countries, India. The study also contributes in terms of its sample characteristics. Managerial employees working across different sectors, served as the setting of our empirical study.


Kybernetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Florin Stanescu ◽  
Alexandra Zbuchea ◽  
Florina Pinzaru

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ innovative work behaviour (IWB), additionally examining the mediating effect of psychological empowerment. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a cross-sectional design, data being collected from 139 employees through the following structured questionnaires: Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, IWB and psychological empowerment instrument. Findings The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between transformational leadership and both IWB and psychological empowerment, as well as the fact that transformational leadership, through psychological empowerment, fosters IWB. Research limitations/implications One of the main weaknesses of this study is the use of a cross-sectional design, which does not allow for an assessment of the cause–effect relation. Also, using a self-reported questionnaire might have brought common method bias. Practical implications The paper shows that, by creating a greater sense of empowerment, leaders could have a higher positive effect on employee’s levels of IWB. Moreover, empowerment acts as one of the most important and effective processes within the transformational leadership framework in fostering innovation among followers. Originality/value This study extends the empirical research on transformational leadership and its influence on employees’ work attitudes. Given the scant research on the role of the psychological empowerment, the results of this study confirm not only its mediating role but also the need for further studies in this direction.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 551-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Nawaz Khan ◽  
Muhammad Faisal Malik

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to check the mediating role of work engagement (WE) between leader – member exchange and extra-role behaviours (ERBs) like organizational citizenship behaviour, knowledge sharing behaviour and innovative work behaviour. Design/methodology/approach Hypothetical deductive method was used. Longitudinal, time-lagged approach (three times) was used to collect the data using structured questionnaire. Findings It has been found that the WE plays its mediating role between leader – member exchange, organizational citizenship behaviour and innovative work behaviour but not for knowledge sharing behaviour. Research limitations/implications Data related to dependent variables, specifically and for the whole model generally, was collected through self-reported questionnaire, which leads toward self-serving bias at respondents’ end, as exaggeration/manipulation in responses is highly expected. Second mediating role of WE between leader – member exchange and knowledge sharing behaviour has not been proven, but same mediating role has been found in case of organizational citizenship behaviour and innovative work behaviour which is beyond understanding, as all dependent variables are actually different facets of ERBs. Lastly, data for the study variable has been collected from research and development and IT-related organizations only, which can question the generalization of the survey results to other sectors/organizations. Practical implications The study concluded that leader’s exchange plays a vital role for under commands’ ERBs, and WE vitally predicts ERBs; organizational leaders need to pay attention to this part, in Pakistan, being a poor/developing country fulfilling necessary psychological needs can result in better engagement at employees end. Study findings have importance with the view of training, as while conducting training, strategies through which leaders/supervisors may be trained about how they can build good exchange with their subordinates must be incorporated. This study has significance for policy makers, while making policies, as they consider deviant work behaviours as dangerous phenomena, at the same time they need to recognize the importance of ERBs. Originality/value Early mechanism of work performance did not cover full range of behaviours, so now it has been changed from fixed tasks written in employee’s job description (in-role) to broader terms (extra-role) due to uncertain and dynamic work requirements. Extra-role behaviours are more important for the organization as compared to in-role performance. So, a pathway of WE has been established through which ERBs can be expected. Current study was an attempt to explore that how leader can play his role in this situation.


Author(s):  
Nimitha Aboobaker ◽  
Zakkariya K.A.

Purpose The paper aims to examine the influence of students’ digital learning orientation on their readiness for change and innovative work behaviour. Elaborations are made on how these concepts can be utilized for strengthening the teaching-learning process in higher education institutions, and help them gain more cutting-edge competencies in areas of learning delivery and learning engagement. Design/methodology/approach The respondents for this descriptive study were drawn through random sampling, from an end-semester student group, who had taken up post-graduate courses in science and technology streams of a prominent science and technology university. Data was collected by administering self-reporting questionnaires. Findings The study revealed that higher digital learning orientation is associated with improved attitude towards change and higher innovative behaviour. With conflicting results in exiting literature, regarding the influence of digital learning orientation on learning outcomes, this study adds to the body of knowledge by testing previously unexplored propositions in a student sample. Originality/value This study is pioneering in conceptualizing and testing the proposed model. The paper emphasizes the role of digital learning orientation, especially in the context of today’s students being referred to as ‘digital natives’. It is thus imperative to understand how the same can be translated into learning outcomes. The results of the study highlights the need for augmenting the role of digital orientation in the teaching-learning process, so as to transform educational institutions sustainable in producing graduates with readiness for change and innovative work behaviour, in the context of an emergent digital economy.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tapas Bantha ◽  
Umakanta Nayak

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to examine the relationship between workplace spirituality and employees’ innovative work behaviour and also to check the mediating role of psychological empowerment on this relationship from the lens of self-determination theory (SDT). Design/methodology/approach An internet-based survey was conducted among knowledge workers, i.e. 340 employees (software engineers and product developers) working in different US-based multi-national companies operating in India. The relationships are tested by using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and, for mediation, Preacher and Hayes (2008) procedure has been used. Findings The PLS-SEM and Preacher and Hayes (2008) mediation results revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between workplace spirituality and employees’ innovative work behaviour. There is also a substantial effect of workplace spirituality on psychological empowerment and psychological empowerment on employees’ innovative work behaviour. Psychological empowerment is found to be mediating fully between workplace spirituality and employees’ innovative work behaviour. Practical implications In the context of organizations, it will be really beneficial to enhance employees’ innovative work behaviour through inculcating workplace spirituality. Promoting workplace spirituality is one of the prerequisites in organizations towards creating sustainability and establishing an empowered organization in this competitive business environment. Originality/value There is a dearth of studies in linking the relationship between workplace spirituality and employees’ innovative work behaviour with the mediating role of psychological empowerment from the lens of SDT.


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