Developmental Human Resource Configuration, Unique Human Capital, and Employee Innovative Work Behavior: A Multilevel Moderated Mediation Model

Abstract

Drawing on social exchange theory (SET), the purposes of this research are to investigate the effect that developmental human resource configuration (DHRC) has on employee innovative work behavior (IWB) and to examine the role that an empowerment climate plays in the relationship. The study assumes that knowledge workers perform IWB if they perceive the application of DHRC and the empowerment climate to support autonomy, information sharing, and team accountability. The data were collected from 37 R&D managers and 370 full-time R&D engineers, constituting 37 different high-tech companies in Guangdong province, China. Results show that a positive relationship between DHRC and IWB was found and was partially mediated by unique human capital. Findings also demonstrate that empowerment climates strengthen this relationship. The implications of the findings and future directions for research are further discussed.