Empowering Leadership, Organizational Culture, and Lecturer Innovativeness in Malaysian Universities: The Moderating Role of Psychological Capital

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of empowering leadership and organizational culture on lecturer innovativeness in Malaysian universities, emphasizing the moderating role of psychological capital. Utilizing a comprehensive theoretical framework that integrates leadership, organizational behavior, and positive psychology theories, the research explores how leadership practices and cultural factors within educational institutions contribute to innovation among lecturers. Data were collected through surveys and analyzed using statistical methods, revealing that both empowering leadership and a supportive organizational culture significantly enhance lecturer innovativeness. Furthermore, psychological capital, encompassing self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience, was found to positively moderate the relationship between leadership, culture, and innovativeness. The findings provide valuable insights for university leaders and policymakers aiming to foster a more innovative academic environment, suggesting that enhancing psychological capital and promoting empowering leadership and a conducive culture are crucial for driving educational innovation. Future research directions include exploring cross-cultural comparisons and intervention studies to validate and extend these findings.