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No longer take a tree for the forest: A cross-level learning-related perspective on individual innovative behavior

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 September 2015

Fu Yang ,
Jing Qian ,
Le Tang  and
Lihua Zhang
Fu Yang*
Affiliation:
School of Business Administration, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China
Jing Qian
Affiliation:
Business School, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Le Tang
Affiliation:
School of Labor and Human Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
Lihua Zhang
Affiliation:
School of Labor and Human Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
*
Corresponding author: [email protected]
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Abstract

Using trait activation theory as a framework, this study developed and tested a cross-level model of individual innovative behavior. Data from a sample of 334 employees within 75 work teams were used to examine the hypothesized model. Results showed that employee learning goal orientation was positively related to innovative behavior only when the team structure was more organic. Additionally, the relationship between employee learning goal orientation and innovative behavior would be strongest when both the team structure was more organic and team mean learning goal orientation was higher.

Keywords

team structureteam learning goal orientation compositionlearning goal orientationinnovative behaviortrait activation theory
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , May 2016 , pp. 291 - 310
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2015 

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