Employees’ Innovativeness in Manufacturing Industry: A Case Study from a Japanese Firm

Abstract

No. 8, 2021, Pg. - Abstract This study aims to examine the relationship between technical knowledge, workspace culture, and employees’ innovativeness at a Japanese manufacturing firm. The theoretical model based on the social cognitive theory approach to employee innovativeness was developed. To answer the research questions, two hypotheses were formulated with moderating effect of workspace culture. Online survey questionnaires were distributed to these Japanese manufacturing employees. A total of 477 employees of all levels were involved in this study, making an overall 22.71 percent response rate. This study utilized the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to establish the validity and reliability of the measurement model and structural model to test the relationships. The findings of the study showed that technical knowledge has significant influences on employee innovativeness and workspace culture has a moderating role in the relationship between technical knowledge towards em ployees’ innovativeness. The findings offered several theoretical and practical implications to a selected Japanese firm and its policymakers. The limitations of the study are addressed and recommendations for future research work are also offered.