The Mediating Effect of Exploitative and Explorative Learning on the Relationship Between Job Embeddedness and Innovative Work Behavior

Abstract

It is the people and not the organizations that innovate and make a difference. Research has shown that thinking and implementing novel and useful ideas is one of the most difficult tasks for the employees and among many factors contributing to foster it, the role of job embeddedness has received little attention. This study draws on Organizational Ambidexterity Learning theory and Job Embeddedness Theory to conceptualize and confirm the relationship between job embeddedness, innovative work behaviour, and employee learning in the setting of frontline service employees. Data were collected from 437 frontline service employees in Pakistan. Consistent with the study’s predictions, both on- and off-the-job embeddedness were related with explorative learning, and innovative work behaviour. Furthermore, an employee’s learning mediated the effects of on- and off-the-job embeddedness on innovative work behaviour whereas explorative learning showed non-significant effects on innovative work behaviour. These findings provide several meaningful insights for future research and managerial practices.