Working differently, performing similarly: systems intelligence and job crafting as predictors of job performance in a three-wave longitudinal study

In light of a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) world, the need for employee adaptability is a critical capacity to navigate challenges and facilitate employees thriving in organizations. One important capacity, systems intelligence, captures employees’ ability to think, adapt and act effectively in interactions with systems. In a three-wave longitudinal study, we examine the relationship between systems intelligence (SI), job crafting (JC), and job performance (JP) over time. We employ the job demands-resources model to demonstrate that SI increases JP, hypothesizing that job resources, as manifested in JC, act as mediator between personal resources (SI) and JP. Data were collected from employees in Pakistan working across the banking, telecommunications, information technology, and engineering sectors. In the first wave, 303 participants completed the survey using validated self-report measures, followed by 212 in the second wave, and 99 in the third wave, each two months apart. Our findings show that systems intelligence at Time 1 was positively related to job performance at Time 3 but not Time 2. We found no significant association of SI at Time 1 with JC at Time 2 or Time 3. JC at Time 2 did not mediate the effects of SI at Time 1 on JP at Time 3. However, JC (T1 & T2) had a significant positive effect on JP (T2 & T3). Overall, our findings suggest that the pathways from systems intelligence and job crafting to job performance are independent. This dual pathway to performance has important theoretical implications as well as practical implications for organizations. Organizations can improve team and individual productivity by fostering systems intelligence and promoting job crafting behaviours. This research directs the attention of leaders and HR functions to the value of tailored interventions in developing these abilities and achieving long-term success and adaptive performance in the workforce.