Managers’ Inclination towards Open Innovation: Effect of Job Characteristics

Abstract

This paper examines the role of job characteristics in open innovation proclivity. Building on componential theory of creativity and job characteristics model of work motivation, this article proposes positive causation from job characteristics to open innovation proclivity. Also, the effect of technologically turbulent environment on certain job characteristics is addressed. This is an individual level study focusing on job level factors in technologically less advanced countries by overcoming present gaps. Findings from 363 managers indicate that skill variety has positive effect while task identity has negative effect, and no effect from other characteristics. Technology turbulence is found to have negative influence on skill variety and autonomy. These findings suggest that firms that adapt open innovation should be cautious in job design and environment turbulence.

Keywords: Open innovation proclivity, Job characteristics, Job design, Technology turbulence, Technologically less advanced countries, Intrinsic motivation