Abstract
Purpose - Our research aims to investigate the mediating effect of employee creativity on the relationship between intrinsic motivation and job performance using relationship using Chinese department salespeople samples. Another objective of this study is to be clear boundary conditions that strengthen or weaken the effects of intrinsic motivation on work outcomes (i.e., employee creativity and job performance). Drawing on JD-R theory, we suggest that the two types of coworker support play differential moderating roles in the intrinsic motivation, employee creativity relationship by increasing or decreasing job resources and demands in different ways. Research design, data, and methodology - This empirical study data were collected from gathered from a sample of full time salespeople in China. A total of 550 questionnaires were distributed and 300 responses were collected, indicating a response rate of 84.0%. Working with a sample of 300 salespeople working in a department store in China. SPSS 18.0, Process 2.16 Macro, and M-Plus 8.0 software were used in the data analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the distribution of the employee profiles and correlations between variables. M-Plus 8.0 software was used to test the model fit, validity and reliability of the variables. Finally, all research hypotheses was estimated by SPSS Macro 2.16. Results - To test our research hypotheses, we employed an analytical strategy suggested by Hayes (2013; 2015) and Shrout and Bolger (2002). In this study, we tested the relationship between intrinsic motivation and job performance throughout employee creativity. Results showed intrinsic motivation and job performance was partially mediated by employee creativity. The positive relationship between intrinsic motivation and employee creativity when coworker emotional support was high than when it was low. In contrast, the positive association between intrinsic motivation and employee creativity was stronger when coworker instrumental support was low than when it was high. Coworker emotional and instrumental support further moderated the indirect effect of intrinsic motivation on job performance through employee creativity. Conclusions - This study extends the conceptual model and empirical researches in coworker supports literature by representing a fundamental mechanism of how salespeople's intrinsic motivation and job performance throughout employee creativity.