Title: The mediation effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between teachers' autonomy and innovative work behaviour

Authors: Safiek Mokhlis; Abdul Hakim Abdullah

Addresses: Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia ' Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (Gong Badak Campus), Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract: Substantial evidence indicates that teachers' autonomy plays a pivotal role in promoting innovative work behaviour (IWB). However, little research has focused on the mechanisms behind this link. The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which the relationship between teachers' autonomy and IWB is mediated by self-efficacy. Drawing from self-determination theory and social cognitive theory, a mediational model linking teachers' autonomy, self-efficacy and IWB was developed. The model was tested with a sample of 376 teachers from 12 public and secondary schools in Malaysia using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results have indicated the complete mediation of the link between teachers' autonomy and IWB by teachers' self-efficacy. This finding underscores the pivotal role that self-efficacy plays in fostering IWB, suggesting that simply increasing teachers' autonomy may not directly result in IWB. Building self-efficacy in teachers also serves as a pathway to fostering innovative practices.

Keywords: autonomy; self-efficacy; innovative work behaviour; IWB; innovation; education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWI.2025.150002

International Journal of Work Innovation, 2025 Vol.6 No.4, pp.337 - 356

Received: 11 Nov 2023
Accepted: 07 Feb 2024
Published online: 21 Nov 2025 *

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