Motivating follower creativity by offering intellectual stimulation

Abstract

Purpose: The purposes of this paper are first to resolve the inconsistent relationship between leader intellectual stimulation and follower creativity by investigating a promising moderator and then to examine the role of follower creative ability and job autonomy as mediating mechanisms linking leader intellectual stimulation with follower creativity. Design/methodology/approach: A time-lagged study was undertaken to gather data from employees working in the information technology sector in Vietnam (N = 415). This study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the gathered data. Findings: This study found a positive direct relationship between leader intellectual stimulation and follower creative performance. Moreover, the follower proactive personality moderated this direct relationship. Furthermore, the results illustrated that follower creative ability and job autonomy partially mediated the positive effect of leader intellectual stimulation on follower creativity. Originality/value: This is one of the first studies to investigate the moderating role of follower proactive personality in resolving the inconsistent relationship between leader intellectual stimulation and follower creativity. Moreover, with using follower creative ability and job autonomy as mediating mechanisms, this study provides evidence that leader behaviors have a partially indirect association with follower creativity through follower abilities and work characteristics.