The Relationship between Innovative Work Behavior on Work Role Performance: An Empirical Study

The purpose of this study is to examine how employees use innovative work behaviour to achieve performance. We have combined role theory and social cognitive theory with insights from the innovative work behaviour and work role performance literature to study employees in a Malaysian automotive organization. The study finds support for a one-factor innovative work behavior and a two-factor work role performance. The results show lack of differences in innovative work behaviour and work role performance based on gender and education. However, the analysis revealed that employees, who were employed in a cross functional capacity and deal with market or customer related environment, tend to demonstrate high inclination of work role performance compared to divisions strictly related to research and development.