The concept of Innovative Work Behavior: Definition and orientation

Together with increased policy attention for innovation, a new behavioral concept is gaining popularity: Innovative Work Behavior (IWB). Although IWB is frequently used in empirical research, rarely is the attention focused on the concept itself. In this article we critically review the existing definitions and conclude that a fitting conceptualization is missing. On the basis of the available literature, we conclude that IWB is all about employee behavior, focused on the generation, introduction and/or application (within a role, group or organization) of new ideas, processes, products or procedures, intended to benefit the relevant unit of adoption. IWB is not exclusively extra-role behavior and can refer to both radical and incremental innovations. The IWB concept strongly overlaps with concepts like workplace creativity, intrapreneurship, organizational citizenship behavior, personal initiative, taking charge, and employee-driven innovation. Nevertheless, IWB is unique because of its exclusive focus on innovation in all its forms.