The Relationship Between Psychological Empowerment and Innovative Behavior

Abstract

Past studies have established the importance of psychological empowerment in fostering innovative behavior. This paper broadens the conceptual understanding by exploring the mechanisms of this linkage through dimensional analysis. The study also examines the mediating role of job involvement in this relationship. In this study of 401 women primary school teachers in India, the dimensions of psychological empowerment were self-rated whereas innovative behavior and job involvement were assessed by colleagues. Our findings show partial mediation for the meaning dimension and complete mediation for the non-work domain control dimension. Self-determination at job and organization levels have a direct effect on employees’ innovative behavior but no effect through job involvement. Competence and impact has no direct or indirect effect on innovative behavior.