Abstract:
In light of advancements in information technology, the competitive landscape for
organisations has intensified, necessitating the cultivation of individual work
behaviour to maintain sustainable competitive advantages. This imperative is
particularly pronounced in resource-constrained regions like Sub-Saharan Africa.
Despite extant research, scholars and practitioners grapple with effectively fostering
this voluntary and intricate behaviour within organisations.
Drawing upon self-determination theory in conjunction with person-organisation fit
theory, this research delved into the emerging field of organisational purpose,
examining the relationship between perceived organisational purpose and innovative
work behaviour. The mediating roles of person-organisation fit and autonomous
motivation in this relationship were also explored. A cross-sectional quantitative
study involving 375 professionals and managers across various industries in
predominantly Namibian and South African contexts was conducted. Structural
equation modelling using IBM SPSS Amos 28 confirmed all hypotheses, indicating a
significant and positive relationship between perceived organisational purpose and
innovative work behaviour, mediated sequentially by person-organisation fit and
autonomous motivation.
The study offers theoretical insights into the motivational potency of a well-perceived
organisational purpose in fostering congruent organisational values and satisfying
basic psychological needs, conducive to autonomous motivation and, ultimately,
innovative work behaviour. Furthermore, it provides practical implications for
management seeking to cultivate workplace innovation by enhancing organisational
purpose perceptions through the establishment of an authentic, contributory, guiding,
and inspirational organisational purpose that transcends mere profit maximisation
goals.
