Job control and expatriate innovative work behaviour: the mediating role of creative self-efficacy and moderating impact of psychological safety climate

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating role of creative self-efficacy (CSE) and the moderating role of psychological safety climate (PSC) in determining the relationship between job control (JC) and expatriate employees’ innovative work behaviour (IWB) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) public sector. Design/methodology/approach Using an online survey, 438 valid responses were collected from expatriate employees working at ten public sector organizations in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Findings The results revealed that the JC−IWB relationship is significant, while it was partially mediated by CSE and moderated by PSC. Research limitations/implications This study’s findings contribute to the extant innovation literature, confirming the mediation role of CSE on JC−IWC relationship in the context of expatriate employees of the UAE public sector. This is the first study that revealed PSC as a moderator in the JC−IWB relationship. Practical implications This study shows that initiatives to increase expatriate employees’ JC, CSE and PSC is a highly beneficial strategy to enhance their IWB. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to contribute to the existing innovation literature by examining the significant and complex interrelations among JC, CSE, PSC and IWB within the context of expatriate employees in the UAE public sector. This context is particularly valuable, as expatriates make up over 90% of the UAE’s workforce.