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Do Transformational Leaders Engage Employees in Sustainable Innovative Work Behaviour? Perspective from a Developing Country

Author

Listed:
  • Li Yi

    (School of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China)

  • Md. Aftab Uddin

    (Department of Human Resource Management, University of Chittagong, Chattogram 4331, Bangladesh)

  • Anupam Kumar Das

    (School of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
    Department of Management, University of Chittagong, Chattogram 4331, Bangladesh)

  • Monowar Mahmood

    (Bang College of Business, KIMEP University, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan)

  • Shanewaz Mahmood Sohel

    (Department of Human Resource Management, University of Chittagong, Chattogram 4331, Bangladesh)

Abstract

Inadequate and inconclusive studies of the role of transformational leadership (TL) on employee creative process engagement (CPE) and sustainable innovative work behaviour (IWB) have motivated the authors to further advance knowledge in this aspect of the workplace. In doing so, the present study seeks to extend the understanding of innovative work behaviour by the involvement of TL and its subordinates through engaging employees in the creative process. The authors adopted the deductive reasoning approach to measure the observed relationships using structural equation modelling (SEM) through SmartPLS 2, a second-generation integrated regression model for statistical measurement. The results from self-report and others’ reported questionnaires reveal that transformational leaders can engage their subordinates in the creative process and sustainable innovative outcomes by influencing employee intrinsic motivation and proactive behaviour. However, the mediating effect of CPE on TL and IWB is not supported. Lastly, the authors discuss the findings and contributions of these empirical findings in theory and practice. In addition to the potential implications of the examined results, this study also recommends directions for further research in the light of its limitations.

Suggested Citation

  • Li Yi & Md. Aftab Uddin & Anupam Kumar Das & Monowar Mahmood & Shanewaz Mahmood Sohel, 2019. "Do Transformational Leaders Engage Employees in Sustainable Innovative Work Behaviour? Perspective from a Developing Country," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:9:p:2485-:d:226597
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Hong Jiang & Wentao Liu & Lili Jia, 2019. "How Humble Leadership Influences the Innovation of Technology Standards: A Moderated Mediation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-20, October.
    3. Joowoong Park & Jae-Suk Yang, 2019. "Moderating Effects of the Timing of Reward Determination and Performance Standards between Rewards and Self-Efficacy for Sustainable Intrinsic Motivation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-20, August.
    4. Shetu Ranjan Biswas & Md. Aftab Uddin & Swadip Bhattacharjee & Mouri Dey & Tarek Rana, 2022. "Ecocentric leadership and voluntary environmental behavior for promoting sustainability strategy: The role of psychological green climate," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1705-1718, May.
    5. Munshi Muhammad Abdul Kader Jilani & Luo Fan & Mohammad Tazul Islam & Md. Aftab Uddin, 2020. "The Influence of Knowledge Sharing on Sustainable Performance: A Moderated Mediation Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-18, January.
    6. Anupam Kumar Das & Shetu Ranjan Biswas & Munshi Muhammad Abdul Kader Jilani & Md. Aftab Uddin, 2019. "Corporate Environmental Strategy and Voluntary Environmental Behavior—Mediating Effect of Psychological Green Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Jaewan Yang & Joon Yeol Lew, 2020. "Implementing Sustainable Human Resources Practices: Leadership Style Matters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, February.
    8. Hanan S. AlEssa & Christopher M. Durugbo, 2022. "Systematic review of innovative work behavior concepts and contributions," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 72(4), pages 1171-1208, December.
    9. Wayu Eko Yudiatmaja & Roy Valiant Salomo & Eko Prasojo, 2023. "Fostering Innovative Behavior of Millennial Public Employee Through Leadership Styles and Organizational Trust," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, June.
    10. Lorenzo Revuelto-Taboada & María Teresa Canet-Giner & Francisco Balbastre-Benavent, 2021. "High-Commitment Work Practices and the Social Responsibility Issue: Interaction and Benefits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-25, January.
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    12. Shetu Ranjan Biswas & Mouri Dey & Swadip Bhattacharjee & Md. Aftab Uddin, 2021. "How Does Corporate Environmental Strategy Contribute to Voluntary Environmental Behavior? Influence of Psychological Green Climate, Firms’ Size, and Employees’ Age," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440211, March.
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    15. Jian Tian & Yan Peng & Xing Zhou, 2020. "The Effects of Abusive Supervision and Motivational Preference on Employees’ Innovative Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-15, October.

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