Exploring Managerial Mechanisms that Influence Innovative Work Behaviour: Comparing private and public employees

Increasing employees’ innovative work behaviour is a complex process of developing an internal climate supportive of idea generation and realization through use of financial, participative, and decentralization mechanisms. This article investigates the effectiveness of these managerial mechanisms in a public versus private context. In a survey in Scandinavia, 8,310 full-time employees were split into public and private employees and analysed with regression models for differences in effectiveness. From the results, two distinct perceptions emerged. Public employees perceive innovative work behaviour as extra-role behaviour to be compensated for. Private employees recognize innovative work behaviour as necessary behaviour for career advancement.