The role of job crafting and knowledge sharing on the effect of transformational leadership on innovative work behavior

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of transformational leadership on an employee’s innovative work behavior through job crafting. In addition, the study explores the moderating effect of knowledge sharing behavior in the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior.

A quantitative and cross-sectional approach was used to collect data. Data were collected from 325 subordinates and 126 supervisors working in the hotel industry. Subordinates were asked to rate transformational leadership style of their respective supervisors and their own job crafting and knowledge sharing behaviors. Supervisors were asked to rate innovative work behavior of their respective subordinates.

The results showed that job crafting behaviors (increasing structural job resources, increasing social resources and increasing job challenges) mediated the effect of transformational leadership on an employee’s innovative work behavior. Moreover, knowledge sharing moderated the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior.

Organizations may reap the benefits of an innovative workforce by selecting, nurturing and developing transformational leaders who facilitate employees to proactively craft a challenging and resourceful work environment.

This is the first study to test the mediating effect of job crafting behaviors on the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior.