Commentary: Does thriving and trust in the leader explain the link between transformational leadership and innovative work behaviour? A cross sectional survey
The cross sectional survey examining whether thriving and trust in leader explains the link between transformational leadership and innovative work behaviour, contributes significantly to both the research community as well as the nursing leadership and practice community. The importance of innovation in nursing has heightened in the past decade. Yet, there is a paucity of nursing research on the concept of innovation. As equally or even more important than the proliferation of nursing research on innovation, is the translation of research on innovation into practice. This study provides nurse leaders with insights that can immediately inform work environment enhancements that will foster innovative behaviours in nursing. Innovative work behaviours are considered linchpins in achieving new care delivery models and processes that will support efficient and effective health care systems of the future. Recent published studies suggest that both leadership styles and work environment contribute to innovative work behaviours. In a study by Masoon and Afsar (2017) it was demonstrated that transformational leadership led to staff engagement, knowledge sharing and motivation which promoted innovative work behaviours amongst staff nurses. In a study by Weng et al. (2015) it was demonstrated that transformational leadership influenced innovative work behaviours amongst staff nurses through a mediating relationship with a positive organisational safety climate. This new study examining whether thriving and trust in leaders explains the link between transformational leadership and innovative work behaviour further strengthens the empirical evidence that innovative work behaviours are fueled by transformational leadership. While it is important for nursing research to continue to explore the concept of innovation and its relationship to transformational leadership and the work environment,
Journal of research in nursing JRN