Exploring the foundations of innovative work behavior: The impact of ambidextrous leadership and technostress with psychological capital as a mediator

This dissertation investigates the factors influencing Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) in an aluminum manufacturing company undergoing digital transformation. It examines the interplay between Ambidextrous Leadership (AL), Technostress (TS), and Psychological Capital (PsyCap) to understand their impact on employees' innovative work behavior. By integrating opening and closing leadership behaviors, AL helps employees adapt to technological advancements while maintaining innovation capabilities. However, while technology enhances productivity and innovation, it also introduces Technostress, which negatively affects employees' psychological capital and ability to innovate. PsyCap, comprising hope, self-efficacy, optimism, and resilience, acts as a buffer against the negative effects of Technostress on innovation. The study was conducted in a leading aluminum manufacturing company in Istanbul, collecting data from 446 employees across four strategic business units. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) by SmartPLS(4), this research explores the direct impact of AL and TS on IWB and the mediating role of PsyCap. Findings confirm that AL positively influences Innovative Work Behavior IWB, both directly and indirectly through PsyCap showing that AL contributes to IWB both directly and by strengthening employees' psychological capital, which further supports innovation. Technostress negatively impacts both Psychological Capital PsyCap and Innovative Work Behavior IWB, with PsyCap fully mediating the relationship between TS and IWB highligthing the critical role of PsyCap in buffering the adverse effects of Technostress on innovation. The study highlights the importance of fostering AL, developing PsyCap, and managing TS to build an adaptive and innovative workforce in digitally transforming organizations.