HOW POLITICAL SKILLS SHAPE INNOVATIVE WORK BEHAVIOR IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT: THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF JOB SATISFACTION

Abstract

This study aims to explore the relationship between political skills and innovative work behavior, with job satisfaction as a mediating factor. The research focuses on public sector organizations, specifically the Government of Kupang City, Indonesia. While numerous previous studies have examined the influence of political skills on innovative work behavior, few have investigated the role of job satisfaction as a mediating factor in this relationship. The respondents in this study comprised 657 employees working in the offices of the Government of Kupang City. Data collection was conducted using a closed-ended questionnaire that was validated for reliability. A Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5 was employed in the questionnaire. Data analysis techniques included descriptive analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings reveal that job satisfaction plays a crucial role as a mediating factor, strengthening the positive impact of employees’ political skills on innovative work behavior. The novelty of this study lies in how it uncovers the mediating mechanism of job satisfaction in the relationship between political skills and innovative work behavior, which has not been extensively studied in public sector organizations in Indonesia. Public sector organizations should enhance employees’ political skills and prioritize their job satisfaction to foster organizational innovation. The findings of this study can serve as a consideration in formulating human resource management strategies.