Title: Does inclusive leadership affect innovative work behaviour? The mediating role of organisational climate

Authors: A.K. Subramani; Anjali Rai; N. Akbar Jan; A. Rahmath Nisha

Addresses: Saveetha School of Management, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Vellappanchavadi, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Human Resource Management and Soft Skills, The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE), ICFAI Business School (IBS), (Deemed to be University U/s 3 of the UGC Act 1956), Telangana, Hyderabad, 501203, India ' Department of Human Resource Management and Soft Skills, The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE), ICFAI Business School (IBS), (Deemed to be University U/s 3 of the UGC Act 1956), Telangana, Hyderabad, 501203, India ' Saveetha School of Management, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India :

Abstract: This study examines the interrelationships between inclusive leadership (IL), organisational climate (OC), and innovative work behaviour (IWB). Data were collected from 367 employees of South Indian IT companies, using a quantitative approach. The primary data were analysed using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 23.0. There is a strong positive link between IL and IWB, indicating that leaders who promote diversity and inclusion tend to stimulate employees' innovativeness. In addition, OC plays an important role in this relationship, wherein the relationship between IL and innovation is amplified by a work environment that fosters trust, psychological safety, justice, and openness. This study stresses that IL skills should be developed, and that an environmental climate favourable to creative contribution ought to be created to foster employees' creativity.

Keywords: inclusive leadership; innovative work behaviour; IWB; organisational climate; information technology; creativity; innovation; diversity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2026.152692

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2026 Vol.25 No.2, pp.202 - 225

Received: 04 Apr 2025
Accepted: 20 May 2025
Published online: 07 Apr 2026 *

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