Enhancing Innovative Work Behavior in Healthcare Professionals: Mediating Effect of Emotional Intelligence and Moderating Role of Job Autonomy

This study investigates the effect of employee happiness on innovative work behavior among 350 healthcare employees in a tertiary care hospital in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, exploring the mediating role of emotional intelligence and the moderating influence of job autonomy. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire from a diverse sample, mostly nurses (33.7%) and doctors (28%), employing a quantitative approach. Mediation analysis (Model 4) and moderation analysis (Model 1) were conducted using the SPSS PROCESS Macro (Hayes, 2013) to evaluate interaction effects. Results indicate that employee happiness significantly enhances innovative work behavior (β = 0.599, p < 0.001), with emotional intelligence partially mediating this relationship (indirect effect = 0.144, Sobel test z = 5.82, p < 0.05) by enabling employees to channel positive emotions into creative outcomes. Job autonomy strengthens this relationship (β = 0.109, p < 0.001), strengthening the impact of happiness on innovation when employees have greater task flexibility. These findings, consistent with existing literature, underscore the pivotal role of emotional well-being and autonomy in fostering innovation within healthcare settings. The study offers practical insights for hospital administrators and policymakers to promote innovative behaviors, contributing a unique perspective on how psychological and organizational factors shape workplace innovation in Pakistan’s healthcare sector.