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How Servant Leadership Motivates Innovative Behavior: A Moderated Mediation Model

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  • Jianji Zeng

    (School of Medical Business, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Guangyi Xu

    (School of Business Administration, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China)

Abstract

Drawing on social identity theory, this study examines the effect of servant leadership on university teachers’ innovative behavior through the self-concept constructs of perceived insider status and organization-based self-esteem, and the moderating effect of leader–member exchange (LMX). This moderated mediation model was tested with two waves of data from 269 university teachers in China. Results reveal that the self-concept constructs mediate the relationship between servant leadership and university teachers’ innovative behavior. Moreover, LMX strengthens the relationship between servant leadership and the self-concept constructs, as well as the indirect effect of servant leadership on university teachers’ innovative behavior through the self-concept constructs. Findings suggest that servant leadership is related to increased innovative behavior due to its positive influence on the self-concept of university teachers and it highlights the importance of developing a favorable supervisor–subordinate relationship.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianji Zeng & Guangyi Xu, 2020. "How Servant Leadership Motivates Innovative Behavior: A Moderated Mediation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:13:p:4753-:d:379271
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Wayu Eko Yudiatmaja & Roy Valiant Salomo & Eko Prasojo, 2023. "Fostering Innovative Behavior of Millennial Public Employee Through Leadership Styles and Organizational Trust," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, June.
    4. Ling Hu & Tai-Wei Chang & Yue-Shi Lee & Show-Jane Yen & Chih-Wen Ting, 2023. "How Does Sustainable Leadership Affect Environmental Innovation Strategy Adoption? The Mediating Role of Environmental Identity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, January.
    5. Shoukat Iqbal Khattak & Muhammad Anwar Khan & Muhammad Iftikhar Ali & Hafiz Ghufran Ali Khan & Imran Saeed, 2023. "Relationship Between Servant Leadership, Leader-Member-Exchange, Organization Learning and Innovative Work Behavior: Evidence From High-Tech Firms," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    6. Naveed Ahmad & Miklas Scholz & Muhammad Zulqarnain Arshad & Syed Khuram Ali Jafri & Raja Irfan Sabir & Waris Ali Khan & Heesup Han, 2021. "The Inter-Relation of Corporate Social Responsibility at Employee Level, Servant Leadership, and Innovative Work Behavior in the Time of Crisis from the Healthcare Sector of Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-16, April.

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