Enhancing HRM research on innovation: psychometric properties and validation of the Arabic version of innovative work behavior scale

Purpose This study aims to validate an Arabic version of the Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) scale to provide human resource management researchers and practitioners with a reliable tool to stimulate innovation in the workplace. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted two different studies. Study one assessed exploratory factor analysis, resulting in an acceptable factor solution for the IWB measure. Study two used confirmatory factor analysis and attempted to examine the convergent and discriminant validity of the IWB against other validation measures. Findings Both studies showed that the Arabic version of the IWB scale is reliable and valid and has strong evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. Statistical evidence shows that innovative work behavior correlates with constructs that are theoretically expected to show such relationships. Research limitations/implications The scale demonstrates strong evidence of internal consistency and alignment with expected theoretical relationships, making it valuable for understanding and measuring these crucial skills. Practical implications The validated Arabic version of the IWB scale, reported in this paper, offers a reliable and valid tool to assess creative and innovative skills in Arabic-speaking organizations. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to validate the IWB scale in Arabic, which addresses a critical gap in human resource management (HRM) research on workplace innovation. By demonstrating the scale’s reliability, validity and alignment with expected theoretical relationships, this study extends the scale’s applicability to Arabic-speaking organizations.