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Multilevel study of transformational leadership and work behavior: job autonomy matters in public service

Wan Noor Azreen Wan Mohamad Nordin (Department of Political Science, Public Administration and Development Studies, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Nurul Liyana Mohd Kamil (Department of Political Science, Public Administration and Development Studies, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
VGR Chandran Govindaraju (Department of Political Science, Public Administration and Development Studies, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Management Research Review

ISSN: 2040-8269

Article publication date: 25 June 2024

Issue publication date: 12 September 2024

316

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to use self-determination and social exchange theory to investigate how transformational leadership influences employees’ motivation for their work behaviors, with job autonomy serving as a mediator. This study hypothesized that transformational leadership could promote employees’ autonomy in performing their tasks, leading to the development of innovative work behaviors and organizational citizenship behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a multilevel approach, data was collected from 409 public service employees across 39 departments.

Findings

The findings indicate the significant impact of transformational leadership on shaping employees’ innovative work and organizational citizenship behavior. Notably, job autonomy emerges as a pivotal mediator, facilitating the positive effects of transformational leadership by empowering employees to explore innovative tasks beyond their prescribed roles, thereby enhancing team effectiveness and employee engagement.

Originality/value

This study’s originality lies in its innovative use of multilevel analysis to reveal job autonomy’s mediating role, offering fresh insights into promoting innovation and organizational in public service settings.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research received ethical approval by the Universiti Malaya Research Ethics Committee [UM. TNC2/UMREC_1659]. All of the procedures involving human participants were in accordance with the APA ethical standards.

Disclosure statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Citation

Nordin, W.N.A.W.M., Kamil, N.L.M. and Govindaraju, V.C. (2024), "Multilevel study of transformational leadership and work behavior: job autonomy matters in public service", Management Research Review, Vol. 47 No. 10, pp. 1684-1701. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-08-2023-0596

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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