How Construal Level Affects Innovative Intention at Work

ABSTRACT Recently researchers have paid increasing attention to how perception and cognition at the individual level affect innovation at work. The present research investigated whether and how construal level affects individuals' innovative intention at work. Four studies were conducted to examine the relationship between construal level and innovative intention, as well as the underlying mechanism. Study 1 ( N = 157) and Study 2 ( N = 167) examined the causal relationship between construal level and innovative intention by manipulating construal level by “why” versus “how” mindset and temporal distance, respectively. Study 3 ( N = 175) further tested the applicability of this causality in one specific innovative context in the workplace (i.e., teaching innovation) and replicated the findings of the previous two studies. Study 4 ( N = 171) explored the potential mediators in the relationship between construal level and innovative intention, and found that perceived importance of innovation rather than perceived difficulty of innovation mediated this relationship. The current research adds evidence to how construal level affects attitudes and behaviors in organizations and has significant practical implications for motivating individuals' innovation at work.