From knowledge to innovation: examining how and when leader knowledge sharing behavior fosters employees’ work innovation

Purpose Using conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study examines the association between leader knowledge-sharing behavior (LKSB) and employee innovative work behavior (IWB) with the mediating role of employee work efficiency and the moderating role of employee learning goal orientation. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 314 employees and their supervisors working in the banking industry in Pakistan. Findings A multilevel analysis revealed that LKSB was positively related to employees’ IWB through increased employee work efficiency. The direct and indirect associations of LKSB with employee work efficiency and IWB were significant when employee learning goal orientation was high. Originality/value This research is novel, as it is among the first studies to examine the mechanism of employee work efficiency in the relationship between LKSB and IWB. It also explores the moderating role of learning goal orientation in this relationship. Specifically, this study tests a multilevel moderated mediation model, in which LKSB is modeled at the supervisory level, while employee efficiency, learning goal orientation, and IWB are modeled at the individual level.