A Parallel Mediation Study of Hospitality Employee’s Innovative Work Behavior and Proactivity Using Self-Determination Theory

Innovativeness is becoming increasingly significant in driving organizational competitiveness and relevance; however, studies advancing the impact of innovation-based human resource management are sparse. In this study, we examine the relationship between innovation-based human resource system (IBHRS), employee proactivity, innovative work behavior, and employee performance, as well as the individual and parallel mediating role of both employee proactivity and innovative work behavior on the relationship between IBHRS and employee performance. Empirical results based on data collected from 247 dyads of passenger-contact employees and their managers in Nigerian airports indicate that IBRHS positively affects employee proactivity and innovative work behavior. In addition, we found that employee proactivity and innovative work behavior fully mediate the relationship, and the significant difference in the mediating effects suggests that innovative work behavior is a more significant mediator of the two. Theoretical contributions and practical implications were discussed based on these findings.