Autonomy, motivation, knowledge and individual absorptive capacity as promoters of innovative behavior at work

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effect of diversity of knowledge and intrinsic motivation on individual absorptive capacity, its effect on innovative behavior at work, as well as the moderating effect of autonomy at work. Design/methodology/approach: Data collection was carried out at the Companhia do Metropolitano de São Paulo – Metrô – obtaining 192 valid questionnaires, which were analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling with partial least squares estimation. Findings: Intrinsic motivation and diversity of prior knowledge have a direct effect on individual absorptive capacity (IAC) and an indirect effect on innovative work behavior (IWB). The relationship between IAC and IWB is strengthened as work autonomy increases (moderating effect). Research limitations/implications: The results are not generalizable as this is a nonprobabilistic sample with respondents from the public sector who have job stability. Practical implications: To encourage innovative behavior at work, the organization can implement practices that promote autonomy at work, and consider personal experiences that are not directly related to work during the selection and hiring process. Social implications: By valuing life experience and autonomy at work and promoting innovative behavior at work, a working environment in which people feel good must be created. Originality/value: The main highlights are the operationalization of the diversity of prior knowledge as a three-dimensional construct that promotes IAC, in addition to the moderating effect of autonomy at work.