Job autonomy, Work Satisfaction, and Innovative work behavior: Investigation of Indonesian Lecturers

Abstract

This study examines the effect of Job Autonomy (JA) and Work Satisfaction (WS) on Innovative Work Behavior (IWB). It also examines the mediating effect of WS on the relationship between JA and IWB. This survey study involved 760 lecturers at various universities in Indonesia. The data were analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling(SEM) approach. The findings showed that JA had a positive effect on WS. Meanwhile, the effect of WS on IWB is more dominant than JA's on IWB. Another finding is that WS can mediate the relationship between JA and IWB. It is implied that, first, the more autonomous the lecturers are in creating work methods, the more satisfied and creative they will be in their work. Second, the effect of job autonomy on innovative work behavior increases with the work satisfaction of lecturers. Third, changing innovative ideas into applicable ones is the strongest indicator of explaining the innovative behavior of lecturers at work.