Title: Driving innovation from within: the role of a supportive workplace in fostering managerial innovation in Turkey's export-oriented machinery sector

Authors: Asghar Afshar Jahanshahi; Fatma Sonmez Cakir; Ozan Kalaycioglu; Zafer Adiguzel

Addresses: IPADE Business School, Mexico City, Mexico ' Bartin University, Management Information Systems, Bartin, Turkey ' Türk Eximbank, Trabzon, Turkey ' Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, International Trade and Finance, Sakarya, Turkey

Abstract: Innovation enables businesses to stay ahead of their competitors by offering unique and superior products, services, or processes. It allows companies to differentiate themselves and attract customers, ultimately leading to a competitive advantage in the market. This research investigates the impact of management innovation and a supportive innovative workplace climate on middle-level managers' innovative behaviour by considering the mediating role of strategic innovation orientation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 300 middle-level managers working in companies within the machinery industry. The research findings indicate that management innovation and the supportive innovative workplace climate enhance the strategic innovation orientation, which in turn improves middle-level managers' innovative behaviours. These findings hold substantial importance for organisations seeking to enhance their innovative capabilities, create a more engaging and productive work environment, and gain a competitive edge in the market. Moreover, these results provide valuable guidance for future research and can inform strategic decision-making at both organisational and policy levels.

Keywords: middle-level managers; innovative behaviours; innovative workplace climate; machinery industry; Turkey.

DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2025.142873

Middle East Journal of Management, 2025 Vol.12 No.1, pp.124 - 150

Received: 13 Aug 2023
Accepted: 01 Nov 2023
Published online: 30 Nov 2024 *

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