The relationship between curiosity and innovative work behavior in the aviation industry: the mediating effect of work engagement

The relationship between curiosity and innovative work behavior in the aviation industry: the mediating effect of work engagement

Purpose This paper aims to examine the mediating effect of work engagement on the relationship between curiosity and innovative work behavior. The context of the study is the initial stages of the pandemic starting April 2020, when international travel became restricted. Design/methodology/approach...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of organizational analysis (2005) Vol. 31; no. 7; pp. 3119 - 3136
Main Authors: Saeed AlShamsi, Sultan Salem, Bin Ahmad, Kamarul Zaman, Jasimuddin, Sajjad M.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Bingley Emerald Publishing Limited 24-11-2023
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Subjects:
Air travel
Airlines
Airports
Aviation
Behavior
Councils
COVID-19
Economics
Employees
Employment
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
Innovations
Learning
Tourism
Travel
United States > US
Dubai United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
UAE
Work engagement
Innovative work behavior
Aviation
Curiosity
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Summary:Purpose This paper aims to examine the mediating effect of work engagement on the relationship between curiosity and innovative work behavior. The context of the study is the initial stages of the pandemic starting April 2020, when international travel became restricted. Design/methodology/approach Self-administered questionnaires were distributed and collected from 327 respondents of 32 organizations in the aviation industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Findings As hypothesized, work engagement is a mediator of the relationship between curiosity and innovative work behavior. Research limitations/implications The limited sample size and confinement to the aviation industry in the UAE limit the generalisation of the results. Practical implications Managers desirous of improving employees’ innovative work behavior will now understand how employees’ curiosity and exploration can impact innovative work behavior through the employees’ work engagement. Therefore, managers should focus on ensuring how employees’ curiosity and exploration can be created into work engagement, ultimately leading to innovative work behavior. Originality/value This research extends the social learning theory by positing that people who have strong traits of curiosity and exploration, will learn from others on how to work more effectively. This will make them more absorbed in their work (work engagement) and subsequently lead to innovative work behavior.
ISSN:1934-8835
1758-8561
1934-8835
DOI:10.1108/IJOA-05-2022-3267