University of Twente Student Theses
Line managers’ influence on innovative behavior of employees
Mutlu, Matai (2014) Line managers’ influence on innovative behavior of employees.
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| Abstract: | This thesis aims to explain the influence of line managers on innovative employee behavior. The research question is: How can line managers shape innovative climate and behavior among employees? Several theories have been used for this research, such as the social exchange theory and the signaling theory. Social exchange theory shows that people tend to act reciprocal and that relationships are calculated on the overall worth by subtracting its costs from the rewards it provides. Signaling can be used to send strong signals about desirable behavior such as innovative behavior. The purpose of this research is to find out what type of line manager behavior can influence innovative employee behavior. To answer the research questions a qualitative case study has been conducted. The case that has been selected for this research is an innovative company called Thales Group, in Hengelo. Six respondents have been interviewed through semi-structured in depth interviews. Among these respondents were three line managers and three employees. To shape an innovative climate, signaling can be used by line managers to send strong signals towards employees about the desire of innovative behavior. Innovative employee behavior can be divided into different phases, where different employee behavior is seen. During these phases line managers can also be used to stimulate employees to act innovatively. For each phase, line managers can act different to stimulate employee behavior. It is important that line managers are aware of their influence to create and stimulate innovative climates and employee behavior. When line managers know that their role is big in this shaping process, they will be able to act upon it and send strong signals towards their employees. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | International Business Administration BSc (50952) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/66469 |
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