Influence of Paternalistic Leadership Style on Innovation Performance Based on the Research Perspective of the Mediating Effect of the Constructive Deviance of Employees

Innovation is the primary driving force behind the development of China as a modern economic power. This study examines the impact of paternalistic leadership on innovation, proposing a theoretical model using the three dimensions of paternalistic leadership (i.e., benevolence, morality, and authoritarianism) as independent variables, constructive deviance as a mediating variable, and innovation performance as the dependent variable. Empirical results showed that benevolent and moral leadership has a positive impact on innovation performance while authoritarian leadership has a negative impact. Constructive deviance by employees has a positive impact on innovation performance. Benevolent and moral leadership has a positive impact on the constructive deviance of employees, while authoritarian leadership has a negative impact on constructive deviance. In addition, benevolent and moral leadership has a positive impact on innovation performance through the constructive deviance of employees, while the impact of authoritarian leadership is negative. In practice, leaders should recognize that constructive deviance is a double-edged sword and guide employees to engage in reasonable constructive deviant behavior, thereby creating sound organizational environments to foster innovation, eliminate barriers, and benefit from the positive impact of the constructive deviance of employees to enhance innovation performance.