Exploring the pathway to innovation: the mediating role of employee engagement in the Trust-Creativity Nexus

This study investigates how employee engagement mediates the relationship between trust and creativity within local government agencies in Ranong Province, Thailand. The research collected data from 401 participants across 31 units, including one Provincial Administrative Organization, two City Municipalities, five Town Municipalities, and 23 Sub-district Administrative Organizations. This diverse sample provides a strong foundation for exploring how trust in supervisors influences employee creativity, with employee engagement serving as a key mediator. By employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) through Smart PLS, the study demonstrates that employee engagement positively impacts creativity, which in turn fosters trust-based relationships that drive organizational innovation. The findings offer valuable theoretical insights and practical guidance for stimulating innovation in local government units, not only in Thailand but also in other global contexts.