Investigating the Differential Influence of Individual Traits and Manager Relationship on Two Stages of Employee Innovation

Lara D. Zibarras
City University London

Fiona Patterson
Cambridge University

Helen Judson
City University London

Zibarras, L. D., Patterson, F., & Judson, H. (2016). Investigating the differential influence of individual traits and manager relationship on two stages of employee innovation. Business Creativity and the Creative Economy, 2(1), 51-61. https://doi.org/10.18536/bcce.2016.10.2.1.05

Abstract

This research examined how individual traits and perceptions of relationship quality with a manager differentially influence two stages of employee innovation: idea generation and idea implementation. One hundred and twenty-six employees from a range of business sectors completed a survey to assess traits related to innovation (as measured by the Innovation Potential Indicator [IPI]), proactive personality, and perceptions of the quality of their relationship with their supervisor (LMX). Results showed that proactive personality predicted idea generation, while LMX predicted only idea implementation. The motivation to change factor of the IPI predicted both stages of employee innovation. Results thus showed that the two stages of employee innovation have common and different antecedents. Findings are discussed in relation to their implications for organizations looking to increase levels of employee innovation.