Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between individual work-related curiosity and worker innovation and to test the mediating role of worker divergent thinking.Design/methodology/approachIn all, 480 participants, holding 188 different jobs, filled in a validated work-related curiosity scale and indicated their job title. Job requirements in terms of divergent thinking and innovation − derived from the Online Information Network (O*NET) database − were used as proxies for divergent thinking and innovation skills.FindingsResults indicated that individual work-related curiosity was a positive predictor of worker innovation and that worker divergent thinking mediated this relationship.Research limitations/implicationsIndividual work-related curiosity supports exploratory skills which support in turn innovation skills.Practical implicationsManagers could use individual work-related curiosity as a predictor of innovation skills when recruiting, training and guiding employees.Originality/valueThis study is the first to show an association between individual work-related curiosity and innovation skills across more than 150 different jobs.
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