Title: Innovative work behaviour induced by transformational leadership through altruism

Authors: Mohanad Alnajjar; Junaidah Hashim

Addresses: OIC International Business Centre, Level 24, Unit 1A, Menara TH Selborn, No. 153, JalanTunRazak, Kampung Baru, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics & Management Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of altruism in the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behaviour. Data was collected from innovative employees and their supervisors in 162 Malaysian innovative SMEs using a self-administered questionnaire. The findings showed a significant relationship between TL and altruism, which partially mediated the link between TL and IWB. Altruism's link to IWB was stronger for women than men. Also, the link between TL and altruism was stronger for those who had higher scores of perceived organisational support. Altruism has been denied relevance to business operations. Therefore, replicating this study in other contexts would allow a better understanding of altruism's contribution to employee innovativeness. Considering the high rate of failure, SMEs have no choice but to be innovative. The findings help SMEs to succeed through employee altruistic behaviour which possibly leads to IWB. The role of leaders in this regard is significant.

Keywords: innovative work behaviour; transformational leadership; altruism; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWI.2020.111758

International Journal of Work Innovation, 2020 Vol.2 No.4, pp.257 - 283

Received: 09 Jul 2018
Accepted: 29 May 2019
Published online: 14 Dec 2020 *

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