The Influence of Ethical Leadership on Innovative Work Behavior: The Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support

Abstract

This study examines the influence of ethical leadership (EL) on innovative work behavior (IWB) by considering the moderating role of perceived organizational support (POS) in the context of lecturers at Indonesian universities. Ethical leadership, which emphasizes moral values, transparency, and justice, is believed to create an academic environment conducive to innovation. However, the level of organizational support perceived by lecturers can strengthen or weaken the relationship between ethical leadership (EL) and innovative work behavior (IWB), especially in the face of rapid technological changes such as artificial intelligence (AI). In this context, EL becomes crucial to ensure the responsible use of AI without sacrificing academic values, while high Perceived Organizational Support (POS) can encourage the adoption of new technologies and the development of AI-based solutions in academic practices. This study involved a population of 7,503 lecturers from West Java and Banten Provinces. Based on the Isaac and Michael table, with a 5% margin of error, a sample size of 332 respondents was determined and selected using random sampling to ensure it represents the population and reduces bias. Data were collected through a questionnaire designed to measure the research variables with appropriate measurement scales. The methodology used is quantitative with a Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach using SmartPLS software, chosen for its ability to handle non-normal data and test complex interactions between latent variables, especially in moderation effects. This research provides a theoretical contribution by enriching the literature on ethical leadership, organizational support, and innovation in the higher education environment, as well as a practical contribution in the form of policy recommendations for educational institutions to encourage innovative behavior among lecturers in the era of digital transformation.