The influence of military identity on soldiers’ innovative work behavior: the case of the Royal Thai Armed Forces

Abstract

Prior research on military identity (MI) has primarily focused on task-oriented performance in Western military contexts. This study extends this literature by examining how MI shapes creative problem-solving in non-military settings within an Asian context. Specifically, it investigates how three dimensions of MI—idealism, individualism, and professionalism—influence soldiers’ innovative work behavior (IWB) when addressing societal challenges during crises. It also examines the moderating roles of intrinsic motivation (IM) and perceived task significance (PTS). Using dual-source data from 50 commanders and 250 subordinates in the Royal Thai Armed Forces and applying structural equation modeling, the results show that idealism and individualism are positively associated with IWB, whereas professionalism has a negative effect, suggesting that strict adherence to norms may constrain nontraditional solutions. IM and PTS moderate only the individualism–IWB relationship: PTS strengthens it, while IM weakens it. These findings advance understanding of how distinct MI dimensions shape innovation and highlight the conditional role of motivation and task framing. Practically, they suggest that fostering idealism and emphasizing task significance can enhance innovation in crisis and non-military contexts.