Servant leadership and employee innovative behaviour: exploring psychological pathways

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on social exchange theory (SET) and conservation of resource (COR) theory, the purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between servant leadership and employees' innovative behaviour and explore the neglected mediating role of psychological safety and thriving.

Design/methodology/approach

Following cross-sectional research design, data was collected from 347 employees of large size information technology (IT) companies in Pakistan. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was used for data analysis.

Findings

The results reveal that servant leadership has direct and positive relationship with employees' innovative behaviour. Moreover, psychological safety and thriving partially mediate this relationship.

Practical implications

This research reinforces the role of servant leadership in organizations striving for a high rate of innovation. Findings of this study suggest managers to practice servant leadership behaviours which enhance employees psychological resources: psychological safety and thriving and prompt them to engage in innovative behaviour.

Originality/value

This research makes novel contribution to the incipient literature by providing first empirical evidence on the simultaneous role of psychological safety and thriving in translating the influence of servant leadership on employees' innovative behaviour.

Citation

Iqbal, A., Latif, K.F. and Ahmad, M.S. (2020), "Servant leadership and employee innovative behaviour: exploring psychological pathways", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 41 No. 6, pp. 813-827. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-11-2019-0474