Title: Fostering innovation in IT: the role of inclusive leadership in shaping employees' creative behaviour through motivation and support

Authors: G. Devapriyanga; R. Subashini

Addresses: VIT Business School, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India ' VIT Business School, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India

Abstract: This study aims to explore the influence of inclusive leadership on employee creative behaviour, considering the mediating factors of autonomous motivation and supervisor support for creativity, drawing on self-determination theory. The survey, using convenience sampling, included 354 IT sector participants, and the serial mediation model was analysed through PLS-SEM. The findings indicate that inclusive leadership positively influences employee creative behaviour; with autonomous motivation and supervisor support for creativity sequentially mediating this relationship. The reliability of the outcomes may be affected by the limited sample size and cross-sectional design. The results suggest that organisations and managers can enhance employee creative behaviour by adopting inclusive leadership practices. In accordance with the self-determination theory, the study demonstrates that inclusive leadership motivates and inspires employees by employing inclusive strategies and principles. This, in turn, aids in building an autonomous and supportive work environment, ultimately contributing to employee creative behaviour.

Keywords: inclusive leadership; employee creative behaviour; autonomous motivation; supervisor support for creativity; self-determination theory; SDT.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2025.145145

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2025 Vol.24 No.2, pp.129 - 151

Received: 12 Aug 2024
Accepted: 23 Sep 2024
Published online: 21 Mar 2025 *

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