Work-related curiosity positively predicts worker innovation
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between individual work-related curiosity and worker innovation and to test the mediating role of worker divergent thinking.
Design/methodology/approach
In all, 480 participants, holding 188 different jobs, filled in a validated work-related curiosity scale and indicated their job title. Job requirements in terms of divergent thinking and innovation − derived from the Online Information Network (O*NET) database − were used as proxies for divergent thinking and innovation skills.
Findings
Results indicated that individual work-related curiosity was a positive predictor of worker innovation and that worker divergent thinking mediated this relationship.
Research limitations/implications
Individual work-related curiosity supports exploratory skills which support in turn innovation skills.
Practical implications
Managers could use individual work-related curiosity as a predictor of innovation skills when recruiting, training and guiding employees.
Originality/value
This study is the first to show an association between individual work-related curiosity and innovation skills across more than 150 different jobs.
Keywords
Citation
Celik, P., Storme, M., Davila, A. and Myszkowski, N. (2016), "Work-related curiosity positively predicts worker innovation", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 35 No. 9, pp. 1184-1194. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-01-2016-0013
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited