Responsible Leadership Behavioral Styles and Innovative Work Behavior: A Moderated‐Mediation Analysis

ABSTRACT Drawing from the social learning theory (SLT), this study aims to examine the relationship between responsible leadership behavioral styles (RLBS) (instrumental and integrative) and employees' innovative work behaviors (IWBs). This study also examines the mediating role of meaningful work (MFW) and the moderating role of knowledge sharing (KS) in the relationship between RLBS and IWBs. Data were collected from 230 employees at different levels working in the public and private sectors. The SPSS PROCESS macros were used to analyze moderated mediation, mediation, and moderation results. All the hypothesized relationships are supported, except the mediating role of MFW in the relationship between integrative RLBS and IWBs, which is partially supported. The findings demonstrated that KS strengthens the instrumental and integrative RLBS' direct effect on MFW and its indirect effect on employees' IWBs. This paper provides a unique theoretical contribution to the effect of RLBS on IWBs in the organization. Instrumental (effective decision‐making and task orientation) and integrative (motivation and welfare orientation) RLBS would be helpful to industrial experts and academicians in creating an innovative work environment for employees in the organization.