Effects of autonomy support on innovation: resolving the dilemma of participation in innovation with trust

Purpose This study aims to integrate the componential model of creativity and innovation with a participative safety perspective to investigate the association between autonomy support and innovation as well as the organizational factors that strengthen this association. Specifically, the study suggests that autonomy support is more effective in fostering innovation in organizations characterized by higher levels of trust, strong organizational fairness and effective communication. Design/methodology/approach The proposed hypotheses were investigated using moderated mediation models with panel data collected over four waves. Findings This study found that autonomy support positively contributes to organizational innovation. Moderation analyses demonstrated that trust, perceptions of fairness and communication strengthen the effect of autonomy support on innovation. Originality/value This study is the first to demonstrate the moderating roles of various organizational contexts (i.e. trust, fairness perception and communication) in the association between autonomy support and innovation and to investigate the role of trust as a mediating moderator.