Industrial and Organizational Psychology Studies

The Effect of Servant Leadership on Innovative Work Behaviors Considering the Mediating Role of Work Meaningfulness in Knowledge-Based Companies

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Fatemeh Ghasemzadeh 1
Hamed Farhang Fallah 2
Davoud Abasi 1

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Management and Accounting, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

2 MA of Organizational Behaviour Management, Department of Management and Accounting, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22055/jiops.2024.45388.1384
Abstract
Introduction
This study investigates the role of work meaningfulness as a mediator in the relationship between servant leadership and innovative work behaviors, addressing a gap in research on how leadership styles enhance the personal significance employees derive from their work.
 
Method
The research employed a descriptive survey methodology with a stratified random sampling method to collect data from a sample of 277 employees within Tehran's knowledge-
based companies. The data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests for normality, and structural equation modeling using SPSS and AMOS 24.0 to test the hypotheses.
 
Results
The findings revealed a significant positive impact of servant leadership on innovative work behaviors (p < 0.01), mediated by the work meaningfulness. Servant leadership empowers employees to become innovators by instilling purpose and growth opportunities. The study underscores the transformative potential of servant leadership in driving innovation within knowledge-based firms.
 
Discussion
The findings indicated the significance of servant leadership in enhancing innovative work behaviors through the mediating influence of work meaningfulness. This study contributes to understanding how leadership can inspire and facilitate innovation by aligning employees' sense of purpose with organizational goals. It emphasizes the need for knowledge-based firms, especially in developing countries, to adopt servant leadership practices to foster a culture of innovation and productivity. The results suggest that when employees perceive their work as meaningful, they are more engaged and innovative, aligning with the organization's innovation objectives.
 

Keywords

Servant leadership
work meaningfulness
innovative work behaviors
knowledge-based companies
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Industrial and Organizational Psychology Studies
Volume 11, Issue 1
April 2024
Pages 95-108

  • Receive Date 26 November 2023
  • Revise Date 23 December 2023
  • Accept Date 18 February 2024

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