The relation of workplace spirituality with employees’ innovative work behaviour: the mediating role of psychological empowerment

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to examine the relationship between workplace spirituality and employees’ innovative work behaviour and also to check the mediating role of psychological empowerment on this relationship from the lens of self-determination theory (SDT). Design/methodology/approach An internet-based survey was conducted among knowledge workers, i.e. 340 employees (software engineers and product developers) working in different US-based multi-national companies operating in India. The relationships are tested by using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and, for mediation, Preacher and Hayes (2008) procedure has been used. Findings The PLS-SEM and Preacher and Hayes (2008) mediation results revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between workplace spirituality and employees’ innovative work behaviour. There is also a substantial effect of workplace spirituality on psychological empowerment and psychological empowerment on employees’ innovative work behaviour. Psychological empowerment is found to be mediating fully between workplace spirituality and employees’ innovative work behaviour. Practical implications In the context of organizations, it will be really beneficial to enhance employees’ innovative work behaviour through inculcating workplace spirituality. Promoting workplace spirituality is one of the prerequisites in organizations towards creating sustainability and establishing an empowered organization in this competitive business environment. Originality/value There is a dearth of studies in linking the relationship between workplace spirituality and employees’ innovative work behaviour with the mediating role of psychological empowerment from the lens of SDT.