An examination of innovative work behaviors within the framework of the theory of planned behavior in white-collar workers in heavy industry

The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is a psychological model that explains how individuals make decisions about their actions and how they can be influenced by the beliefs, attitudes and intentions of those around them. Since this theory can contribute to understand the factors that influence an individual's willingness to engage in creative activities in the organization, its application to innovative work behavior is crucial. Accordingly, this thesis aims to examine the relationship between innovation intention and innovative work behavior based on the Theory of Planned Behavior by focusing on how an individual's attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control can affect the level of innovativeness in the work environment. For this purpose, it was hypothesized that employees' psychological capital (in TPB: attitude), their perceptions of the innovativeness of the work climate (in TPB: norm), and their beliefs about the positive aspects of their jobs (in TPB: perceived control) would predict their intentions to innovate and their intentions and in turn their behaviors. The participants of the study consisted of white-collar employees working in one of the heavy industry sectors such as defense, energy and mining. The research data were collected online. Within the scope of the research, Innovative Behavior Scale, Innovation Intention Scale, Psychological Capital Scale, Innovative Climate Scale and Job Diagnosis Scale were used. The research data were analyzed benefitting statistical analysis software. The findings predicted that, in line with the Theory of Planned Behavior, perceived behavioral control significantly and positively explained the display of innovative work behavior. However, the norms and attitudes proposed in the Theory of Planned Behavior model did not significantly predict innovation intention and behavior. In addition, contrary to what is hypostasized within the scope of TPB, innovation intention significantly predicted innovative behaviors in a negative direction. The research findings were discussed on the basis of the role of people's perceived level of control on their innovative behaviors and the precaution that can be fallowed in the future to reflect the innovative intentions of the employees on their behaviors.