Psychological capital, task autonomy and innovative work behaviour among public organisation employees

Abstract

A fierce competitive workplace climate compels employees to work under pressure, hence, to perform requires individual’s innovate positive psychological resources. This paper sets out to examine the predictive relationship between psychological capital (PsyCap) and innovative work behaviour (IWB) among public employees, and the role of task autonomy in the relationship. A cross-sectional survey design was conducted, and 125 employees from public hospitals participated in the study. The study used a questionnaire focussing on measures of PsyCap, IWB, task autonomy as well as questions on demographic characteristics. The research hypothesis was tested using regression analysis. Multiple regression analysis showed self-efficacy (β = 0.25, p < 0.01) and optimism (β = 0.14, p > 0.05) positively and significantly predict IWB. The investigation implicitly tested and confirmed the applicability of certain elements in Bandura’s social cognitive theory and Vroom’s expectancy theory from the examination of PsyCap – IWB link.