Explaining the Mediating Effect of Employee Morale between Organizational Goal Ambiguity and Innovative Work Behaviour: Evidence from the Public Sector of Iran

Hassan Danaeefard and Abdolali Ahmadzahi Torshab

International Journal of Public Administration, 2021, vol. 44, issue 13, 1129-1148

Abstract: Despite the importance of innovation and innovative behaviors to the public institutions, the climate of these organizations does not grant their employees a sense of purpose and meaningfulness to be intrinsically motivated in their work. Ambiguous goals may influence employee’s attitudes and behaviors. However, previous research findings were mixed about the effect of goals on innovation at work. This study, therefore, seeks to explain the perplexing relationship between organizational goal ambiguity (OGA) and innovative work behavior (IWB) regarding the mediating effect of employee morale. A survey was administered, and respondents were selected from four public organizations of Iran. Finally, data were collected from 700 operational, full-time employees. Results indicated that employee morale mediates the connection between OGA and IWB. This paper advances a further understanding of how employee morale can weaken the direct effect of OGA on innovative work behavior. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1080/01900692.2021.1891424

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