A short measure of innovative work behaviour as a dynamic, context-bound construct

• Published in: International journal of manpower 2020-12, Vol.41 (8), p.1251-1267
• Main Authors: Messmann, Gerhard, Mulder, Regina H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Employees; Innovations; Usability; Validity
• ISSN: 0143-7720; 1758-6577
• DOI: 10.1108/IJM-01-2019-0029

PurposeThis contribution aims at providing a measure of the overall construct of innovative work behaviour (IWB). As a consequence of the construct's dynamic, context-bound nature, the measure of IWB is based on concrete work activities, captures social and reflective activities, and is context-bound. By employing a short, one-dimensional measurement scale, the instrument enables valuable scientific and practical insights in an economical way.Design/methodology/approachThe measure of IWB was evaluated with two samples of employees in different work contexts by conducting psychometric analyses, reliability analyses, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and correlation analyses with criterion variables.FindingsThe study provides evidence for the psychometric quality, reliability and validity of the measure of IWB.Research limitations/implicationsThe measure can be used to efficiently measure overall IWB. It thus enables the investigation of complex research models involving intervening mechanisms, interactions, or longitudinal effects. Further validation in other work domains and the inclusion of other criterion variables, such as innovative outcomes, is advised.Practical implicationsThe measure is useful for organizational practitioners to efficiently assess employees' IWB, to determine needs for supporting IWB at organizational level, and as a conceptual guideline for designing training or giving performance feedback during innovation projects.Originality/valueThe measure enables insights into the question how IWB can be fostered in practice. In addition, the contribution highlights that a measure of IWB needs to account for the construct's dynamic, context-bound nature and pay attention to usability as an important but often neglected quality criterion.