Promoting Innovative Work Behaviour in Hybrid Workplaces: A Case Study of ABC Environmental Services Consultancy in Yangon, Myanmar
Abstract
Since the shift to hybrid and remote working models caused by the Covid-19 global pandemic, it is extremely crucial for businesses to remain agile, competitive, and resilient and those businesses and organizations where creativity and innovation are valued, it is observed that they tend to thrive in unpredictable situations. This research aims to identify and describe patterns in employee responses regarding factors that may contribute to or hinder innovative work behavior in an Environmental Consultancy Services company in Myanmar where a hybrid working arrangement is adopted. This research gains insights into how to promote innovative work behavior of employees at a hybrid working place by assessing the employees’ work behaviour and perceptions of innovation and work engagement. This mixed-method study examines factors influencing innovative work behaviour through a survey (n=48) and individual interviews (n=9). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the results showed generally positive employee perceptions, with innovative work behaviour rated the lowest among the five factors. Qualitative interviews, guided by the Appreciative Inquiry 5D Model, were analyzed through content analysis. Findings show that employees value team dynamics, job completion, and hybrid work, while also expressing the need for greater leadership trust, stronger work ethics, more autonomy, and clearer career pathways. The juxtaposition of the quantitative and qualitative results substantially contributed to providing strategic recommendations to promote innovative work behaviour.
Keywords : Job Autonomy, Leadership Support, Effective Cross-Functional Collaboration, Work Engagement, Innovative Work Behaviour, Hybrid Work Arrangement
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