A dual mediation model of the association between principal inclusive leadership and teacher innovative behavior

Abstract

Abstract Teacher innovation is crucial for the education system to adapt to contemporary society's evolving demands. However, the underlying mechanism of how inclusive leadership positively impacts employees’ innovative behavior remains incomplete. Therefore, drawing upon the social cognitive theory, this study aims to comprehensively examine the mediating effects of teachers’ psychological empowerment and school innovation climate on the relationship between inclusive leadership and innovative behavior among primary and junior teachers. A total of 358 valid questionnaires were administered to primary and junior teachers in mainland China using a convenience sampling approach. The data were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling and bootstrap testing, revealing a positive relationship between principal inclusive leadership and teacher innovative behavior. Additionally, teachers’ psychological empowerment and school innovation climate were found to mediate this relationship, with the former playing a crucial role. The findings can enhance existing research on the impact of inclusive leadership in basic education. They also offer a new perspective for analyzing how inclusive leadership affects employees’ innovative behavior and provide valuable insights into stimulating innovation among primary and junior teachers.

Keywords

• Inclusive leadership
• School innovation climate
• Teacher psychological empowerment
• Teacher innovative behavior
• Cross-level analysis