Linking Leader Humor to Innovative Work Behavior: A Mixed-Method Investigation
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| Title: | Linking Leader Humor to Innovative Work Behavior: A Mixed-Method Investigation |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Pratyush Banerjee, Bindu Chhabra |
| Source: | Learning Organization. 2026 33(1):129-154. |
| Availability: | Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 26 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research Tests/Questionnaires |
| Descriptors: | Leadership Styles, Humor, Professional Personnel, Employees, Work Environment, Safety, Knowledge Management, Intention, Behavior, Foreign Countries, Administrator Behavior |
| Geographic Terms: | India |
| DOI: | 10.1108/TLO-11-2024-0365 |
| ISSN: | 0969-6474 1758-7905 |
| Abstract: | Purpose: Drawing upon the conservation of resource theory, the purpose of this paper is to explore the role of leader humor in employee innovative work behavior (IWB) and to investigate the mediating role of psychological safety and knowledge sharing in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach: At first, in-depth semi-structured questions are asked to few working professionals working in Indian knowledge economy sectors (n = 24), and the data is analyzed through thematic analysis. In a follow-up study, a quantitative survey is conducted with professionals from similar industry (n = 223) to test whether leader humor leads to a psychologically safe workplace and if that in turn influences employees' knowledge sharing intention and IWB. A serial mediation analysis is conducted to test the hypotheses. Findings: Study 1 identifies the role of humor in enhancing employee IWB and reveals critical role of psychological safety and knowledge sharing as intermediary factors. Study 2 provides evidence that psychological safety and knowledge sharing serially mediate the linkage between leader humor and IWB. Practical implications: This study highlights the importance of using humor by leaders for creating a psychological safe environment where employees are not hesitant to share knowledge. Further, leader humor can eventually trigger employee IWB. Originality/value: This is a novel attempt at understanding the vital role of leader humor in evoking employee pro-social work behavior such as innovative mindset. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1505722 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Purpose: Drawing upon the conservation of resource theory, the purpose of this paper is to explore the role of leader humor in employee innovative work behavior (IWB) and to investigate the mediating role of psychological safety and knowledge sharing in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach: At first, in-depth semi-structured questions are asked to few working professionals working in Indian knowledge economy sectors (n = 24), and the data is analyzed through thematic analysis. In a follow-up study, a quantitative survey is conducted with professionals from similar industry (n = 223) to test whether leader humor leads to a psychologically safe workplace and if that in turn influences employees' knowledge sharing intention and IWB. A serial mediation analysis is conducted to test the hypotheses. Findings: Study 1 identifies the role of humor in enhancing employee IWB and reveals critical role of psychological safety and knowledge sharing as intermediary factors. Study 2 provides evidence that psychological safety and knowledge sharing serially mediate the linkage between leader humor and IWB. Practical implications: This study highlights the importance of using humor by leaders for creating a psychological safe environment where employees are not hesitant to share knowledge. Further, leader humor can eventually trigger employee IWB. Originality/value: This is a novel attempt at understanding the vital role of leader humor in evoking employee pro-social work behavior such as innovative mindset. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0969-6474 1758-7905 |
| DOI: | 10.1108/TLO-11-2024-0365 |
