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Apply Your Strengths to Enjoy Flow at Work: A Diary Study on the Relationship Between Strengths Use and Innovative Behavior

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Listed:
  • Tao Liu

    (Southwest Jiaotong University)

  • Shaokai Lu

    (Southwest Jiaotong University)

  • Jianhong Ma

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Yanhui Mao

    (Southwest Jiaotong University)

Abstract

Strengths use at work has a significant positive impact on employees’ job performance. However, little research has been done on the effect of strengths use on performance beyond routine tasks, such as innovative behavior. In this daily diary study, we examined the relationship between daily strengths use and daily innovative behavior, building on the broaden-and-build theoretical framework. We proposed a moderated mediation model where the link between one’s daily strengths use and daily innovative behavior is mediated by daily flow at work and moderated by daily gratitude toward the organization (GTO). We collected daily data from 204 full-time employees over a period of three consecutive weeks, resulting in a total of 3060 data entries. Our results supported the hypothetical model, indicating that employees who utilized their daily strengths more at work are more likely to engage in daily innovative behavior. Furthermore, increased daily strengths use is associated with a stronger sense of flow at work, which further fosters daily innovative behavior. We also found that the relationship between daily strengths use and daily flow is intensified for employees with a higher daily GTO level at work. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tao Liu & Shaokai Lu & Jianhong Ma & Yanhui Mao, 2023. "Apply Your Strengths to Enjoy Flow at Work: A Diary Study on the Relationship Between Strengths Use and Innovative Behavior," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(8), pages 2647-2667, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:8:d:10.1007_s10902-023-00696-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-023-00696-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hadassah Littman-Ovadia & Shiri Lavy & Maayan Boiman-Meshita, 2017. "When Theory and Research Collide: Examining Correlates of Signature Strengths Use at Work," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 527-548, April.
    2. Marine Miglianico & Philippe Dubreuil & Paule Miquelon & Arnold B. Bakker & Charles Martin-Krumm, 2020. "Strength Use in the Workplace: A Literature Review," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 737-764, February.
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    4. Daniel Tzabbar & Amrita Lahiri & Donghwi Josh Seo & Warren Boeker, 2023. "When opportunity meets ability: The moderating effects of prolific inventors on novel drug innovation following product development failure in biotechnology," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(10), pages 2534-2565, October.
    5. Bradley R. Staats & Diwas S. KC & Francesca Gino, 2018. "Maintaining Beliefs in the Face of Negative News: The Moderating Role of Experience," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 64(2), pages 804-824, February.
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