Authors : Rosintansafinas Munir and Loo-See Beh
Abstract: The creativity and innovative behavior of employees is crucial to determine the continuity and sustainability of any organization. Personality trait has a strong effect on workplace behaviors, attitudes, innovation and performance. This study investigated the relationship of the “Big Five” personality dimensions (Extraversion, emotional stability, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experience) with innovative work behavior. A set of questionnaire was personally distributed to 63 employees at automotive components manufacturing in Selangor. Personality traits were assessed using McCrae and Costa while innovative work behavior was adopted from Kleysen and Street. The results indicated that one dimension of personality trait, i.e., openness to experience showed significant relationship (r = 0 .575) with innovative work behavior. The other personality traits were not significantly related to innovative work behavior. Thus, the management can develop new strategies to boost innovative work behavior among employees in organization as personality trait is without a doubt an essential contributor in producing innovative employees. For future studies, the comparison between dimensions of innovative work behavior should be made and the use of different personality qualities is also recommended to allow for fundamental implications.
Rosintansafinas Munir and Loo-See Beh, 2016. Do Personality Traits Matter in Fostering Innovative Work Behavior?. The Social Sciences, 11: 4393-4398.