Prosocial motivation and individual innovation: the role of sharing best practices, sharing mistakes and innovative climate
Thi Thanh Bui, Cong Thuan Le, Thi Kim Lan Phan, Quoc Tan Phan, Thi Y Nhi NguyenPurpose
This paper aims to explore how sharing best practices and sharing mistakes link the relationship between prosocial motivation and individual innovation. In addition, the study investigates the moderating role of innovative climate in reinforcing this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey design approach was utilized to collect data from employees working in the information technology industry in Vietnam. Structural equation modeling was used to test the predicted relationships in the conceptual model.
Findings
The results show that prosocial motivation positively influenced individual innovation directly and indirectly through sharing best practices and sharing mistakes. Moreover, innovative climate moderated the impact of prosocial motivation on individual innovation.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the knowledge sharing literature by distinguishing between sharing best practices and sharing mistakes as two content-based mediators linking prosocial motivation to individual innovation. By focusing on the qualitative orientation of knowledge content, this research provides a more precise explanation of how prosocial motivation translates into innovative outcomes. This study also identifies innovative climate as a boundary condition that strengthens this relationship, clarifying when prosocial motivation is more likely to result in innovation.