Abstract This study delves into the influence of Leadership-Member Exchange (LMX) on innovation behaviour among university lecturers in Chengdu, a key educational and urban development hub in Western China. It particularly scrutinises the mediating roles of psychological empowerment and psychological safety within this context. With its blend of traditional and contemporary educational practices amid rapid urbanisation, Chengdu offers a distinctive backdrop for exploring the dynamics of academic leadership and its impact on innovation. Employing a quantitative methodology, the research utilises structural equation modelling and regression analysis to dissect data gathered from lecturers across various universities in Chengdu. The aim is to unravel how LMX, defined by the quality of leader-member interactions and relationships, affects lecturers’ propensity for innovation. The study probes the extent to which psychological empowerment and psychological safety serve as mediators in this relationship. By situating the research in Chengdu’s dynamic environment, notable for its unique educational landscape, the study substantially contributes to the literature on leadership and innovation in higher education settings. The findings are poised to offer critical insights for university administrators and policymakers and emphasise leadership approaches that nurture innovation through empowerment and a sense of safety among academic staff.
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ZHU et al. (2024) studied this question.
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