Goal Orientation and Innovative Performance: The Mediating Roles of Knowledge Sharing and Perceived Autonomy

Abstract

This study examined the effects of learning goal orientation on individual innovative performance and the mediating mechanisms involved. Based on a survey of 248 employees and their supervisors from diverse industries in China, the results showed that learning goal orientation was positively associated with innovative performance, with knowledge sharing as a significant mediator. Unexpectedly, job autonomy was not able to mediate the relationship between learning goal orientation and innovative performance. Exploratory analysis showed that the direct effect of performance goal orientation on innovative performance was insignificant, but it had a weak indirect effect on innovative performance through perceived job autonomy. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.