Bayesian network revealing pathways to workplace innovation and career satisfaction in the public service

Abstract

This paper examined the innovation process in the Australian Public Service (APS) using a Bayesian network (BN) founded on an empirically derived structural equation model. The focus of the BN was to examine the impact of leadership style and organisational culture on workplace innovation and career satisfaction in the APS. Using scenario analysis, the best combination of managerial actions for enhancing APS career satisfaction was determined. The results emphasise the benefit of encouraging management to adopt a transformational leadership style and instilling innovative culture in their organisation. In addition, innovative culture was a key driver of workplace innovation, which served to improve the career satisfaction of APS employees. Implications are discussed to propose practical strategies for organisations wish to encourage innovation among employees.

Keywords:

• innovation
• public sectors
• scenario analysis
• Bayesian network
• structural equation model

Acknowledgement

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

ORCID

Warit Wipulanusat http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1006-6540

Kriengsak Panuwatwanich http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6303-9485

Rodney A. Stewart http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6013-3505

Stewart L. Arnold http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3039-3418

Jue Wang http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3401-713X