Transformational Leadership and Innovative Work Behavior: The Role of LMX Theory and Employee Voice Behavior

Maja Strugar Jelača; Dimitrije Gašić; Radmila Bjekić; Marko Alekić; Slobodan Marić

doi:10.5755/j01.ee.36.1.34652

Authors

Maja Strugar Jelača Department of Management, Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia
Dimitrije Gašić Department of Management, Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia
Radmila Bjekić Department of Management, Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia
Marko Alekić Department of Management, Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia
Slobodan Marić Department of Management, Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.36.1.34652

Keywords:

Transformational leadership style, leader-member exchange theory, employee voice behavior, innovative work behavior

Abstract

The aim of the study is to advance the understanding of direct and moderated effect between implemented transformational leadership style and employee innovative work behavior. The mediating role of Leader-member exchange theory and employee voice behavior is tested within the relationship of transformational leadership style and innovative work behavior. Respondents to a survey were 544 employees working in organizations in Serbia. Structural equation modeling was run by using Smart partial least square 3. to test the proposed model. Results suggest that transformational leadership style has significantly influenced employee innovative work behavior directly and through moderators as Leader-member exchange theory and employee voice behavior. This study was the first study in the Serbian business context that reveals a highly effective mediating mechanism like: leader-member exchange theory and voice behavior, which exists with transformational leadership style to increase innovative work behavior of employees. Furthermore, this study reveals additional results, like: transformational leadership style was significantly related to leader-member exchange theory and employees voice behavior, then leader-member exchange theory as well as employee voice behavior were significantly related to employees innovative working behavior.

Author Biographies

Maja Strugar Jelača, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia

Maja Strugar Jelača is an Associate professor at the Faculty of Economics in Subotica. She is the Head of the Department of Management. Her research interests include management innovation practice in Serbia and Central and Eastern European regions. She teaches Strategic Management courses in undergraduate studies and Management Innovation and Leadership in master studies. Maja Strugar Jelača is the author and co-author of a large number of scientific and professional papers from the fields of management innovation, strategic management, and leadership.

Dimitrije Gašić, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia

Dimitrije Gašić is a Teaching Assistant and student of doctoral studies at the Department of Business Economy and Management – module Entrepreneurial Management at the Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, the Republic of Serbia. He teaches the courses Organizational Theory and Human Resource Management in undergraduate studies and Employee Rewarding System in master studies. In addition, he is the author and co-author of numerous scientific and professional research in the field of human resource management.

Radmila Bjekić, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia

Radmila Bjekić (corresponding author) is an Assistant professor at the Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia. Her field of interest is leadership, especially the role of emotional intelligence in contemporary leadership practice. She teaches the courses Organizational Theory and Organizational Design (undergraduate studies), and she teaches practical lessons for the course of Leadership (master studies). Radmila Bjekić is the author and co-author of numerous scientific and professional papers in the fields of leadership and organizational design.

Marko Alekić, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia

Marko Aleksić is an Assistant professor at the Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia. He teaches courses in the field of management for undergraduate and master studies. His area of interest is corporate social responsibility. In addition, he is the author and co-author of numerous scientific and professional works in the field of management and environmental economics.

Slobodan Marić, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia

Slobodan Marić is an Associate professor at the Department of Management, Faculty of Economics Subotica, University of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia, where he teaches bachelor’s course Management and master’s course Performance Management. He has taken part in many national and international scientific and research projects. In addition, he is the author and co-author of numerous scientific and professional papers in the fields of management, performance management, entrepreneurship, and project management.