Ambidextrous leadership and academic staff innovative behavior at Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia: the mediating role of workplace happiness

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the mediation role of workplace happiness in the link between ambidextrous leadership and academic staff innovative behavior at Debre Berhan University. In this study, primary data was utilized. Proportional stratified sampling was employed to ensure the representation of respondents from all colleges within the university. Subsequently, simple random sampling was used to select respondents from each individual college. Questionnaires were dispatched from 400 faculty members. However, only 343 questionnaires were filled properly and returned. A structural equation model was applied to test the research hypotheses. The results revealed that ambidextrous leadership has a positive and significant effect on workplace happiness. The study also found that ambidextrous leadership has a positive and significant effect on academic staff’s innovative behavior. The study’s findings also showed that workplace happiness contributes a significant role in mediating the link between ambidextrous leadership and academic staff innovative behavior. The present study suggests that Debre Berhan University management should promote a good workplace environment for innovative behavior through effective leadership and employee well-being initiatives.

Keywords:

• Ambidextrous leadership
• innovative behavior
• workplace happiness
• academic staff
• Debre Berhan University

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Pablo Ruiz, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

SUBJECTS:

• Organizational Behavior; Human Resource Management, Strategic Management; Leadership

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all participants who answered the questionnaire survey at Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia.

Author contributions

Abebe Getaneh Kebede: introduction, methodology, data analysis, and conclusion. Solomon Dubale Terefe: introduction, methodology, and data analysis. Amare Werku Ijigu: methodology, conclusion, and recommendations.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Abebe Getaneh Kebede

Abebe Getaneh Kebede is a lecturer at Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in management at Debre Berhan University and his Master’s degree in public management at Jimma University. His current research

Solomon Dubale Terefe

Solomon Dubale Terefe is a lecturer at Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Logistics and Supply chain management at Adama Science and Technology University and his Master’s degree in logistics and supply chain management at Bahir Dar University. His current research focuses on Business management, supply chain management and operations management.

Amare Werku Ijigu

Dr. Amare Werku Ijigu is an assistant professor of business leadership at Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia. He completed his Ph.D. in business leadership and Master’s degree in human resource management at Addis Ababa University. In addition, he got his Bachelor’s degree in management at Mekelle University. His current research areas include leadership, strategic human resource management, and organizational behavior.