Inclusive leadership and creative self-efficacy: Testing the moderating and mediating mechanisms

Abstract

Purpose: Creative self-efficacy (CSE) is a key motivational factor for individual creativity and the creation of new knowledge, which leads to new product development. Based upon Social Exchange Theory (SET) and Social Learning Theory (SLT), this study explores the effects of inclusive leadership (“manifested by openness, accessibility, and availability of a leader”) upon employees of CSE through the mediation of psychological availability and moderation of proactive personality. Design: This study inspected a sample of 222 individuals working in the software industry and directly linked to design, development, testing and implementation of new products. “Process macro” by Hayes was applied to inspect the mediating effect of psychological availability and the moderating effect of proactive personality in the association between inclusive leadership and CSE. Findings: Results shows that inclusive leadership style is positively related to psychological availability but not directly related to CSE which shows the mediation role of psychological availability between inclusive leadership and CSE, while the relationship between IL and CSE via organizational availability is moderated by individuals proactive personality. Originality: This research emphasizes the significance of IL in enhancing CSE among software development personals. It advances the theory of IL by examining the intervening influence of psychological availability and proactive personality on individuals CSE.