Abstract

This research examined psychological mechanism behind Innovative Work behavior (IWB) of knowledge workers through a moderated mediation model for answering how efficacy beliefs of individuals affect their innovative work behavior, and how organizational context is contingent upon it by influencing ambidextrous behavior of individuals. Data were collected from white collar employees in pharmaceutical sector (N = 308). Empirical results indicate that individual ambidexterity mediates the link between self-efficacy and Innovative Work Behavior, and formalization weakens the relationship between Individual ambidexterity and IWB. This research contributes to the personnel management literature by describing moderated mediation mechanism through which selfefficacy influences Innovative Work behavior, and guides practitioners by emphasizing that employees will be more innovative when they are given less formalized work environment to cope with conflicting activities needed for innovation