The Mediating Role of Psychological Empowerment and Trust in Leader on the Effect of Inclusive Leadership on Innovative Work Behavior: A Field Study in the Textile Industry in Türkiye

The research is conducted with employees in the textile sector operating in Kahramanmaraş/Türkiye. The study aims to examine the effect of inclusive leadership on employees’ innovative work behavior, as well as the mediating roles of trust in leader and psychological empowerment in this interaction. This cross-sectional study collected data from 275 employees in the textile industry of Kahramanmaraş/Türkiye. The data were analyzed by the structural equation modeling (SEM) method using SmartPLS 4 software. The results of the analysis revealed that inclusive leadership has a direct positive effect on IWB. In addition, it was determined that inclusive leadership increases psychological empowerment and trust in leader. While psychological empowerment was found to have a significant mediating role in the relationship between inclusive leadership and innovative work behavior, the mediating role of trust in leader was not supported. The findings suggest that focusing on psychological empowerment in inclusive leadership practices is effective in increasing IWB. The limited effect of trust in leader on innovative work behavior indicates the complexity of leadership and employee interactions. Theoretical and practical implications and recommendations are presented at the end of the study.