Relationship between core self-evaluation and innovative work behavior: mediating effect of affective organizational commitment and moderating effect of organizational learning capacity

Focusing on employees, this study examined the respective mediating and moderating effects of affective organizational commitment and organizational learning capacity in the relationship between core self-evaluation and innovation work behavior. We collected data via an online survey from 330 office workers at midsize and large companies in a metropolitan area of South Korea. The results of analyzing the data using PROCESS macro were as follows: (1) core self-evaluation was positively related to innovative work behavior; (2) the relationship was mediated by affective organizational commitment; (3) the relationship was buffered by organizational learning capacity, such that a higher level of organizational learning capacity diminished the impact of core self-evaluation on innovative wok behavior; and (4) the conditional effect of core self-evaluation on innovative work behavior existed only in the group of a low level of organizational learning capacity. Based on these findings, we suggested implications for theory building, research, and practice.