Title:
EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF WORKLOAD ON EMPLOYEE INNOVATIVE BEHAVIOR IN NIGERIAN MANUFACTURING SECTOR: THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL

Authors:
Efe Heritage Ijie, Meirong Zhen, Benard Korankye, China

Abstract:

This study develops and tests a conceptual model of the impact of workload on employee's innovative behavior in manufacturing companies in Nigeria and the role of psychological capital. Specifically, the study hypothesizes that workload negatively affects employee's innovative behavior. Psychological capital positively affects employee's innovative behavior and has a moderating role in the relationship between workload and employee's innovative behavior. Using a sample size of 315 which was borne out of questionnaires administered online to employees in Nestle Nigeria Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Breweries Company, and Nigeria Bottling Company, the correlation, multiple regression, and hierarchical moderated multiple regression were used to analyze the relations. Results show that workload produces a negative and significant impact on employee's innovative behavior whereas psychological capital produced a positive and significant impact on employee innovative behavior. Results also indicate that the relationship between workload and employee innovative behavior was positively and significantly moderated by psychological capital. The study contributes to the JD-R theory where the outcome presents workload as job demand which could be mitigated by psychological capital which is presented as job resources with the view of promoting employee innovative behavior. Management should ensure workload is fairly managed to empower employees psychologically to ensure innovativeness.