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Towards a Sustainable Model of Innovative Work Behaviors’ Enhancement: The Mediating Role of Employability

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  • Jol Stoffers

    (Research Centre for Employability, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, 6131 MT Sittard, The Netherlands
    Faculty of Management, Open University of the Netherlands, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands
    Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA), Maastricht University, 6211 LM Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Beatrice van der Heijden

    (Institute for Management Research, Radboud University, 6500 HK Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    Faculty of Management, Open University of the Netherlands, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands
    Department of Marketing, Innovation and Organisation, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
    Business School, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China)

  • Ilse Schrijver

    (Research Centre for Employability, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, 6131 MT Sittard, The Netherlands)

Abstract

In this mixed methods study, a moderated mediation model predicting effects of leader-member exchange (LMX) and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) on innovative work behaviors, with employability as a mediator, has been tested. Multi-source data from 487 pairs of employees and supervisors working in 151 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) supported our hypothesized model. The results of structural equation modelling provide support for our model. In particular, the benefits of close relationships and high-quality exchanges between employee and supervisor (LMX), and fostering individual development as a result of employees’ OCB have an indirect effect on innovative work behaviors through positive effects on workers’ employability. Innovative work behaviors depend on employees’ knowledge, skills, and expertise. In other words, enhancing workers’ employability nurtures innovative work behaviors. In addition, we found a moderation effect of organizational politics on the relationship between employability and innovative work behaviors. Secondly, qualitative methods focusing on experiences of the antecedents and outcomes of employability were used to complement our quantitative results. All in all, this study has important consequences for managerial strategies and practices in SMEs and call for an awareness of the dysfunctional effect of perceived organizational politics.

Suggested Citation

  • Jol Stoffers & Beatrice van der Heijden & Ilse Schrijver, 2019. "Towards a Sustainable Model of Innovative Work Behaviors’ Enhancement: The Mediating Role of Employability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-25, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2019:i:1:p:159-:d:301488
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    References listed on IDEAS

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