The Impact of Job Autonomy on Employee Creativity: Examining Perceived Supervisor Support as a Mediator and Job Difficulty as a Moderator

Research indicates that job autonomy (JA) plays a pivotal role in enhancing employee creativity (EC); however, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms facilitating this connection is still limited. To address this lacuna, we draw on self-determination theory, which argues that perceived supervisory support (PSS) may act as a mediator. Thus, this study explores how JA enhances creativity through PSS. Furthermore, we explore the moderating role of the job difficulty level on the relationship between JA and EC. Conducting a cross-sectional survey involving 561 employees in the Turkish media sector, our study utilizes structural equation modelling in AMOS and employs moderator analysis in PROCESS Macro. The results unveil that JA not only directly positively impacts EC but also exerts an indirect influence through the mediating role of PSS. Furthermore, our findings highlight the moderating effect of job difficulty level, indicating a negative impact on the relationship between JA and EC. Among the examined control variables, including gender, organizational tenure and sectoral tenure, it is notable that sectoral tenure emerges as the sole factor significantly influencing EC. These results have significant implications for the development of innovative management strategies and human resources policies tailored to the unique needs of media companies. The study underscores the importance of understanding the intricate dynamics between JA, PSS and job difficulty levels in fostering a creative work environment.