An Innovative Work Behavior in Public Sector Organizations
A Systematic Literature Review and Conceptual Framework for Bureaucratic Innovation
Keywords:
Innovative Work Behavior, public sector, leadership agility, organizational learning, digital competence, bureaucratic innovation.Abstract
This paper presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) within public sector organizations during the period 2017–2025. The study aims to consolidate empirical findings, identify major determinants, and propose a conceptual framework for fostering bureaucratic innovation. Using the PRISMA 2020 protocol and the approach by Tranfield et al. (2003), 77 publications were retrieved from the Scopus database. After a rigorous screening process, 28 empirical studies met the inclusion criteria. The synthesis reveals that leadership agility, organizational learning, and digital competence are consistent predictors of IWB among public employees. Other contextual factors such as public service motivation, psychological capital, and organizational justice moderate the relationship between leadership and innovation. Most studies employ quantitative designs (SEM-PLS, SEM-AMOS), focusing on civil servants in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Evidence shows that innovation in bureaucratic systems is enabled by supportive leadership, continuous learning, and digital readiness, yet hindered by excessive regulation and workload. The review also highlights methodological gaps, particularly the lack of longitudinal or comparative research across government tiers. The proposed framework positions Innovative Work Behavior as a strategic driver of public value creation and bureaucratic transformation. This review contributes both theoretically by integrating leadership agility, learning culture, and digital competence and practically by informing human resource management policies and public sector reforms.
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