Driving Innovative Work Behavior Among University Teachers Through Work Engagement and Perceived Organizational Support

Leaders are critical players in determining how their employees behave in the workplace. Particularly in higher education, teachers are required to utilize psychological, social, and physical resources to perform their tasks. This, along with institutional limitations, renders the role of ethical le...

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Main Authors: Pouya Zargar, Amira Daouk, Sarah Chahine
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Administrative Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/15/7/246
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author Pouya Zargar
Amira Daouk
Sarah Chahine
author_facet Pouya Zargar
Amira Daouk
Sarah Chahine
author_sort Pouya Zargar
collection DOAJ
description Leaders are critical players in determining how their employees behave in the workplace. Particularly in higher education, teachers are required to utilize psychological, social, and physical resources to perform their tasks. This, along with institutional limitations, renders the role of ethical leaders more critical for driving positive performance outcomes. In this context, the current study investigates the role of ethical leadership on innovative work behavior of university teachers in Turkey. To provide a better understanding, mediating effect of work engagement and the moderating impact of perceived organizational support are also analyzed. With a total of 211 surveys gathered in a cross-sectional manner and using partial least squares—structural equation modeling with Smart-PLS software—the hypotheses were tested. By embedding social exchange, self-determination, and organizational support theories, the current study highlights the importance of the unique characteristics of ethical leaders in academia as antecedents of innovation for teachers, implementing long-term positive changes in the faculty. When institutional support systems exist, faculty deans can trigger engagement by leveraging the facilities and initiatives of the university, ultimately enhancing the learning environment of students while tending to the wellbeing of academic staff.
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spelling doaj-art-0b80f7722f8141e08dfd4a2a84311e322025-08-20T02:48:17ZengMDPI AGAdministrative Sciences2076-33872025-06-0115724610.3390/admsci15070246Driving Innovative Work Behavior Among University Teachers Through Work Engagement and Perceived Organizational SupportPouya Zargar0Amira Daouk1Sarah Chahine2Arucad Research Center, Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design, Girne 99300, Northern Cyprus, TurkeyManagement and International Management, Management Information Systems, Lebanese International University, Beirut 146404, LebanonManagement and International Management, Management Information Systems, Lebanese International University, Beirut 146404, LebanonLeaders are critical players in determining how their employees behave in the workplace. Particularly in higher education, teachers are required to utilize psychological, social, and physical resources to perform their tasks. This, along with institutional limitations, renders the role of ethical leaders more critical for driving positive performance outcomes. In this context, the current study investigates the role of ethical leadership on innovative work behavior of university teachers in Turkey. To provide a better understanding, mediating effect of work engagement and the moderating impact of perceived organizational support are also analyzed. With a total of 211 surveys gathered in a cross-sectional manner and using partial least squares—structural equation modeling with Smart-PLS software—the hypotheses were tested. By embedding social exchange, self-determination, and organizational support theories, the current study highlights the importance of the unique characteristics of ethical leaders in academia as antecedents of innovation for teachers, implementing long-term positive changes in the faculty. When institutional support systems exist, faculty deans can trigger engagement by leveraging the facilities and initiatives of the university, ultimately enhancing the learning environment of students while tending to the wellbeing of academic staff.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/15/7/246ethical leadershipuniversity teachersperceived organizational supportwork engagementinnovative work behavior
spellingShingle Pouya Zargar
Amira Daouk
Sarah Chahine
Driving Innovative Work Behavior Among University Teachers Through Work Engagement and Perceived Organizational Support
Administrative Sciences
ethical leadership
university teachers
perceived organizational support
work engagement
innovative work behavior
title Driving Innovative Work Behavior Among University Teachers Through Work Engagement and Perceived Organizational Support
title_full Driving Innovative Work Behavior Among University Teachers Through Work Engagement and Perceived Organizational Support
title_fullStr Driving Innovative Work Behavior Among University Teachers Through Work Engagement and Perceived Organizational Support
title_full_unstemmed Driving Innovative Work Behavior Among University Teachers Through Work Engagement and Perceived Organizational Support
title_short Driving Innovative Work Behavior Among University Teachers Through Work Engagement and Perceived Organizational Support
title_sort driving innovative work behavior among university teachers through work engagement and perceived organizational support
topic ethical leadership
university teachers
perceived organizational support
work engagement
innovative work behavior
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/15/7/246
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