Impact of advice network centrality on innovative work behavior: the moderating role of multiplex network embeddedness

Purpose To achieve innovation outcomes, employees often leverage advice networks to access valuable knowledge resources. However, the increasing integration of friendship ties into these advice networks creates multiplex ties that significantly affect employees’ innovative work behavior, yielding both benefits (i.e. increased trust) and costs (i.e. attention depletion). This study aims to provide a consistent picture of these effects by examining the relationship between advice network centrality and employees’ innovative work behavior as moderated by multiplex network embeddedness. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 273 R&D employees in the scientific research and technology service industry. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis and bootstrap analysis techniques were employed to test the hypotheses. Findings The results showed that advice network centrality is positively associated with idea implementation through idea generation. Moreover, multiplex network embeddedness moderates these relationships: it weakens the positive effect of advice network centrality on idea generation but strengthens the positive relationship between idea generation and idea implementation. Originality/value To our knowledge, this is the first study that differentiates the various phases of innovative work behavior to uncover the innovation benefits of advice networks and how multiplex network embeddedness influences these benefits. It contributes to social networks and innovation research by providing insight into establishing advice networks that efficiently support innovative work behavior.