Contextualizing Work Engagement and Innovative Work Behaviour: The Mediating Role of Learning Goal Orientation

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of learning goal orientation in the work engagement and innovative work behaviour relationship among academicians in the Malaysian public universities. Underpinned by the Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions, this study posited that high level of work engagement will promote academicians’ innovative work behaviour through learning goal orientation. Data was gathered through questionnaire survey completed by 265 academic staffs from six public universities located in the northern and central regions of Peninsular Malaysia. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), the results indicated that academic staffs who are highly engaged at work would be more likely to report higher level of learning goal orientation, which ultimately tend to engage in innovative work behaviour. Discussions enlighten learning goal orientation as a significant mediator in explicating the work engagement and innovative work behaviour link, which provided full support to the underlying theory.