Influence of Employee Well-Being and Work Flexibility on Innovative Work Behavior and Job Performance: A Comparative Study of Full-Time and Gig Workers in Digital Business

This study investigates the impact of employee well-being, work flexibility, and innovative work behavior on job performance among full-time and gig workers in digital businesses. A comparative analysis was conducted to examine potential differences between the two groups. A structured questionnaire was administered to 201 full-time employees in digital business system development and 199 gig workers from the IT Support Thailand group on Facebook using convenience sampling. The data were analyzed using multiple group structural equation modeling (MG-SEM) via partial least squares (PLS). The findings reveal that work flexibility boosts innovative work behavior, with gig workers showing greater adaptability than full-time employees. Innovative work behavior is positively linked to job performance, underscoring creativity’s role in organizational success. However, employee well-being and work flexibility did not demonstrate a significant direct effect on job performance. This study employed a sample of full-time and gig workers in Thai digital businesses, which may limit the generalizability of our findings to other industries or sectors. To enhance external validity, future research is recommended, including comparative studies across diverse employment forms and industries. Moreover, the adoption of a mixed-methods approach is encouraged to provide a more comprehensive understanding and broaden the scope of inquiry across multiple national contexts. Our findings underscore the need for policies that promote flexibility, well-being, and innovation to boost job performance. Digital business managers should foster adaptability, creativity, and support for both full-time and gig workers. An inclusive, balanced work environment can enhance performance, innovation, and satisfaction, helping organizations stay competitive in fast-changing markets. This study contributes to digital business research by examining the interplay between employee well-being, work flexibility, and innovative work behavior in determining job performance across different employment types.