Ambidextrous leadership and academic staff innovative behavior at Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia: the mediating role of workplace happiness

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the mediation role of workplace happiness in the link between ambidextrous leadership and academic staff innovative behavior at Debre Berhan University. In this study, primary data was utilized. Proportional stratified sampling was employed to ensure the representation of respondents from all colleges within the university. Subsequently, simple random sampling was used to select respondents from each individual college. Questionnaires were dispatched from 400 faculty members. However, only 343 questionnaires were filled properly and returned. A structural equation model was applied to test the research hypotheses. The results revealed that ambidextrous leadership has a positive and significant effect on workplace happiness. The study also found that ambidextrous leadership has a positive and significant effect on academic staff’s innovative behavior. The study’s findings also showed that workplace happiness contributes a significant role in mediating the link between ambidextrous leadership and academic staff innovative behavior. The present study suggests that Debre Berhan University management should promote a good workplace environment for innovative behavior through effective leadership and employee well-being initiatives.