Self-reflection and employee creativity: The mediating role of individual intellectual capital and the moderating role of concern for face
ISSN: 1750-614X
Article publication date: 13 August 2019
Issue publication date: 9 December 2019
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the effect of self-reflection on employee creativity in China. The authors identify individual intellectual capital (IIC) as a mediator and concerns for face as a moderator for this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 351 dyads of full-time employees and their immediate supervisors from various Chinese companies were surveyed. Regression analysis and structural equation modeling were used to test the research model.
Findings
Three dimensions of self-reflection significantly affect IIC and subsequently lead to employee creativity; IIC mediates the relationship between three dimensions of self-reflection and employee creativity; concern for face negatively moderates the effect of IIC on employee creativity.
Practical implications
Managers can facilitate employees’ creativity by motivating them to conduct self-reflection and develop IIC, and by nurturing a safe atmosphere that allows individuals to take risks without losing face.
Originality/value
This is one of the first empirical studies to investigate the mediating effects of IIC and the moderating effects of concerns for face on the relationship between self-reflection and creativity.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of a special section “Chinese management and cross-cultural management”, guest edited by Zheng Fan, Tingting Lu and Peihua Fan.
This research is partly supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities in China (Grant No. 2017XKQY087), the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Funds of the Chinese Education Ministry (Grant No. 17YJA630104) and the Double First-Class Initiative Project for Cultural Evolution and Creation of China University of Mining and Technology (Grant No.2018WHCC03/05).
Citation
Wang, Z., Liu, D. and Cai, S. (2019), "Self-reflection and employee creativity: The mediating role of individual intellectual capital and the moderating role of concern for face", Chinese Management Studies, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 895-917. https://doi.org/10.1108/CMS-09-2018-0683
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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