Innovative Work Behavior: A Decade of Research Synthesized Through Systematic Review
Keywords:
Innovative Work Behavior, Psychological Safety, Job Crafting, Capability, Role AmbiguityAbstract
Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) has become a critical capability for academic professionals in responding to increasing demands for transformation, digitalization, and competitiveness in higher education. However, the antecedents that drive IWB among university lecturers—especially within the psychosocial work context—remain fragmented across the literature. This study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method to synthesize empirical findings on the key predictors of IWB, including job crafting, capability, and role ambiguity, with a particular focus on the mediating role of psychological safety. A total of 50 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 were systematically reviewed using PRISMA guidelines. The findings reveal that proactive job crafting and individual capability consistently enhance IWB, while role ambiguity tends to hinder it. Furthermore, psychological safety acts as a crucial mediating mechanism that fosters an environment where innovative behaviors can emerge and flourish. The review offers a conceptual consolidation of IWB predictors in higher education and provides theoretical and managerial implications for universities aiming to cultivate innovation-driven faculty performance.
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