Abstract Purpose This study explores the influence of paradoxical leadership (PXL) on employee innovative performance (EIP), highlighting the increasing demand for innovation in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, which is characterized by paradoxes. Grounded in paradox theory, the framework posits that job crafting (JC) serves as a mediator, illustrating how employees proactively reshape their roles in response to PXL dynamics, thereby enhancing EIP. Additionally, the study investigates the moderating role of job autonomy (JA), examining how it strengthens two relationships: (1) the effect of PXL on JC, and (2) the effect of JC on EIP. Data were collected from 326 employees working in ICT firms across four major cities in Pakistan, given the inherent contradictions in their demands. Validated instruments were employed to assess the constructs, and data analysis was conducted using PLS-SEM in RStudio, with the PLSPM and SEMINR packages. The results indicate that JC mediates the positive impact of PXL on EIP. In addition, this relationship is high when job autonomy (JA) moderates the relationship between PXL and JC. The study offers potential insights into the theoretical and managerial implications for the ICT sector.
Khan et al. (2026) studied this question.