Transformational leadership and innovative work behaviour: the mediating role of psychological empowerment

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ innovative work behaviour (IWB), additionally examining the mediating effect of psychological empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a cross-sectional design, data being collected from 139 employees through the following structured questionnaires: Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, IWB and psychological empowerment instrument.

Findings

The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between transformational leadership and both IWB and psychological empowerment, as well as the fact that transformational leadership, through psychological empowerment, fosters IWB.

Research limitations/implications

One of the main weaknesses of this study is the use of a cross-sectional design, which does not allow for an assessment of the cause–effect relation. Also, using a self-reported questionnaire might have brought common method bias.

Practical implications

The paper shows that, by creating a greater sense of empowerment, leaders could have a higher positive effect on employee’s levels of IWB. Moreover, empowerment acts as one of the most important and effective processes within the transformational leadership framework in fostering innovation among followers.

Originality/value

This study extends the empirical research on transformational leadership and its influence on employees’ work attitudes. Given the scant research on the role of the psychological empowerment, the results of this study confirm not only its mediating role but also the need for further studies in this direction.

Citation

Stanescu, D.F., Zbuchea, A. and Pinzaru, F. (2021), "Transformational leadership and innovative work behaviour: the mediating role of psychological empowerment", Kybernetes, Vol. 50 No. 5, pp. 1041-1057. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-07-2019-0491