The Relationship between Job Autonomy and Innovative Behavior: The Mediating Role of Intrinsic Motivation

Sarani, Zahra; Norouzi, Mohammad; Yahyanezhad, Mahdiyeh

doi:10.22111/ijop.2026.52527.1053

The Relationship between Job Autonomy and Innovative Behavior: The Mediating Role of Intrinsic Motivation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Master of English Language Teaching, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran

² Ph.D student of Assessment & measurement , Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran. Iran

³ Ph.D Student in Educational Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, zahedan,iran

10.22111/ijop.2026.52527.1053

Abstract

This research was conducted to examine the mediating role of intrinsic motivation in the relationship between job autonomy and innovative behavior among teachers. The study employed a descriptive-correlational design using structural equation modeling. The statistical population comprised all secondary school teachers in District Two of Zahedan city during the 2022-2023 academic year, totaling 516 individuals. From this population, a sample of 220 participants were selected using stratified random sampling proportional to size (based on gender) and according to Cochran's formula. Data were collected using three standardized questionnaires: the Intrinsic Motivation Scale by Amabile et al. (1994) consisting of 15 items and 6 components, the Job Autonomy Scale by David (2014) with 9 items and 3 components (empowerment, self-regulation, and self-determination), and the Innovative Behavior Scale by Janssen (2000) comprising 9 items and three dimensions (idea generation, idea promotion, and idea realization). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22 and LISREL 8.80 software. Results indicated that job autonomy does not have a significant direct effect on teachers' innovative behavior (β=0.11, t=1.37). Job autonomy has a positive and significant effect on intrinsic motivation (β=0.29, t=3.87). Intrinsic motivation has a positive and significant effect on innovative behavior (β=0.36, t=4.75). Intrinsic motivation plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between job autonomy and innovative behavior (β=0.10, t=3.06). The findings emphasize that job autonomy has an indirect effect on innovative behavior through intrinsic motivation.

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