Paradoxical leadership as facilitator in the idea journey: The role of regulatory focus

Abstract

Drawing upon theory and research on innovation, conservation of resources, and paradoxical leadership, we examine relationships between three stages of the innovative process (i.e., idea generation, idea dissemination, and idea implementation) and the role of paradoxical leadership as a facilitator of the transitions between these stages. In addition, we examine the motivational mechanisms (promotion and prevention focus) that can explain the relevance of paradoxical leadership in the innovative process. Results of a four-wave study show that paradoxical leadership, through employee promotion focus, strengthens the relationship between idea generation and idea dissemination, whereas paradoxical leadership, through employee prevention focus, strengthens the relationship between idea dissemination and idea implementation. Two experimental studies confirmed the importance of employee regulatory focus in the innovative process. Together, these findings highlight the importance of paradoxical leadership and employee regulatory focus in innovative processes. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.