Elucidating the effects of organisational practices on innovative work behavior in UAE public sector organisations: The mediating role of employees’ wellbeing

Abstract

In the context of the transitioning economy of the United Arab Emirates, which demands inculcating innovative behavior in public employees, this study investigates the relationship between high-involvement work practices and leaders' collaborative nature with employees' innovative behavior. Drawing on the social exchange and ability–motivation–opportunity theories, this research expounds the mediating effect of employees' wellbeing to examine the mechanisms through which high-involvement work practices and public leaders' collaborative nature affect employees' innovative behavior in public organisations. Using three-wave data from 207 individuals in public service organisations, this study tests the effects of employees' perceptions of high-involvement work practices and leaders' collaborative nature on their wellbeing and innovative work behaviors. Our findings have theoretical and practical implications for research on innovative work behavior in the milieu of public organisations.

keywords: collaborative leadership; high-involvement work practices; innovative work behavior; public sector; United Arab Emirates; wellbeing