Authentic Leadership as Predictor of Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of Social Informal Learning Behaviors

Sami  Ullah; Syed Tanveer Hussain Shah; Muhammad  Tufail; Simeon Babatunde; Syed Mohsin Ali Shah

doi:10.1007/s13132-025-02715-8

Authentic Leadership as Predictor of Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of Social Informal Learning Behaviors

Sami Ullah (Corresponding / Lead Author)
, Syed Tanveer Hussain Shah (Corresponding / Lead Author)
, Muhammad Tufail
, Simeon Babatunde
, Syed Mohsin Ali Shah^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Leadership style is important in fostering a healthy work context and enhancing motivation of employees. Drawing on theories of positive leadership and workplace learning, this research investigated the role of authentic leadership (AL) as a facilitator of Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) and investigated the mediating role of social informal learning behaviors. A total of 303 useful questionnaires were obtained from leaders and employees of 201 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) located in Pakistan. The data was analyzed using SmartPLS 4. The result demonstrated that AL had a positive and significant association with IWB. Moreover, this relationship was mediated by two out of four social informal learning behaviors examined. The study has both theoretical and practical contributions. The limitation of this study and possible avenues for future research are discussed towards the end.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1 to 26
Journal	Journal of the Knowledge Economy
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-025-02715-8
Publication status	Published (VoR) - 29 Mar 2025

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10.1007/s13132-025-02715-8

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title = "Authentic Leadership as Predictor of Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of Social Informal Learning Behaviors",

abstract = "Leadership style is important in fostering a healthy work context and enhancing motivation of employees. Drawing on theories of positive leadership and workplace learning, this research investigated the role of authentic leadership (AL) as a facilitator of Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) and investigated the mediating role of social informal learning behaviors. A total of 303 useful questionnaires were obtained from leaders and employees of 201 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) located in Pakistan. The data was analyzed using SmartPLS 4. The result demonstrated that AL had a positive and significant association with IWB. Moreover, this relationship was mediated by two out of four social informal learning behaviors examined. The study has both theoretical and practical contributions. The limitation of this study and possible avenues for future research are discussed towards the end. ",

author = "Sami Ullah and Shah, \{Syed Tanveer Hussain\} and Muhammad Tufail and Simeon Babatunde and Shah, \{Syed Mohsin Ali\}",

year = "2025",

month = mar,

day = "29",

doi = "10.1007/s13132-025-02715-8",

language = "English",

pages = "1 to 26",

journal = "Journal of the Knowledge Economy",

issn = "1868-7865",

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Authentic Leadership as Predictor of Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of Social Informal Learning Behaviors. / Ullah, Sami (Corresponding / Lead Author); Shah, Syed Tanveer Hussain (Corresponding / Lead Author); Tufail, Muhammad et al.
In: Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 29.03.2025, p. 1 to 26.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Authentic Leadership as Predictor of Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of Social Informal Learning Behaviors

AU - Ullah, Sami

AU - Shah, Syed Tanveer Hussain

AU - Tufail, Muhammad

AU - Babatunde, Simeon

AU - Shah, Syed Mohsin Ali

PY - 2025/3/29

Y1 - 2025/3/29

N2 - Leadership style is important in fostering a healthy work context and enhancing motivation of employees. Drawing on theories of positive leadership and workplace learning, this research investigated the role of authentic leadership (AL) as a facilitator of Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) and investigated the mediating role of social informal learning behaviors. A total of 303 useful questionnaires were obtained from leaders and employees of 201 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) located in Pakistan. The data was analyzed using SmartPLS 4. The result demonstrated that AL had a positive and significant association with IWB. Moreover, this relationship was mediated by two out of four social informal learning behaviors examined. The study has both theoretical and practical contributions. The limitation of this study and possible avenues for future research are discussed towards the end.

AB - Leadership style is important in fostering a healthy work context and enhancing motivation of employees. Drawing on theories of positive leadership and workplace learning, this research investigated the role of authentic leadership (AL) as a facilitator of Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) and investigated the mediating role of social informal learning behaviors. A total of 303 useful questionnaires were obtained from leaders and employees of 201 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) located in Pakistan. The data was analyzed using SmartPLS 4. The result demonstrated that AL had a positive and significant association with IWB. Moreover, this relationship was mediated by two out of four social informal learning behaviors examined. The study has both theoretical and practical contributions. The limitation of this study and possible avenues for future research are discussed towards the end.

UR - https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/16335/

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DO - 10.1007/s13132-025-02715-8

M3 - Article

SN - 1868-7865

SP - 1 to 26

JO - Journal of the Knowledge Economy

JF - Journal of the Knowledge Economy

ER -

Authentic Leadership as Predictor of Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of Social Informal Learning Behaviors

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