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Journal of Happiness Studies

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19-10-2023 | Research Paper

Apply Your Strengths to Enjoy Flow at Work: A Diary Study on the Relationship Between Strengths Use and Innovative Behavior

Authors: Tao Liu, Shaokai Lu, Jianhong Ma, Yanhui Mao

Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies | Issue 8/2023

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Abstract

Strengths use at work has a significant positive impact on employees’ job performance. However, little research has been done on the effect of strengths use on performance beyond routine tasks, such as innovative behavior. In this daily diary study, we examined the relationship between daily strengths use and daily innovative behavior, building on the broaden-and-build theoretical framework. We proposed a moderated mediation model where the link between one’s daily strengths use and daily innovative behavior is mediated by daily flow at work and moderated by daily gratitude toward the organization (GTO). We collected daily data from 204 full-time employees over a period of three consecutive weeks, resulting in a total of 3060 data entries. Our results supported the hypothetical model, indicating that employees who utilized their daily strengths more at work are more likely to engage in daily innovative behavior. Furthermore, increased daily strengths use is associated with a stronger sense of flow at work, which further fosters daily innovative behavior. We also found that the relationship between daily strengths use and daily flow is intensified for employees with a higher daily GTO level at work. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

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Title: Apply Your Strengths to Enjoy Flow at Work: A Diary Study on the Relationship Between Strengths Use and Innovative Behavior
Authors: Tao Liu
Shaokai Lu
Jianhong Ma
Yanhui Mao
Publication date: 19-10-2023
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies / Issue 8/2023
Print ISSN: 1389-4978
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7780
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-023-00696-6

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