The Effect of Social Support on MZ Employees' Innovative Behavior: Sequential Mediation by Self-efficacy and Work Engagement

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the sequential dual mediation effect of self-efficacy and work engagement on the relationship between social support and innovative behavior among young employees from the Millennial and Generation Z cohorts, often referred to collectively as Generation MZ. The objective is to understand the psychological mechanisms through which social support drives innovative behaviors in small and medium-sized enterprises in South Korea. Design/methodology/approach: Using a sample of 309 Generation MZ employees with less than three years of experience, data were analyzed via SPSS, AMOS, and PROCESS macro. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the validity of the variables, and Hayes' model 6 was used to test the mediation effects. Findings: Results demonstrate that social support significantly enhances innovative behavior. This occurs through a sequential process where social support boosts self-efficacy, which subsequently increases work engagement, ultimately leading to greater innovative behavior. The findings emphasize the importance of psychological mechanisms in understanding how support influences innovation. Research limitations/implications: The study's generalizability is limited to Generation MZ employees in SMEs within one region. Further research should expand to different regions, industries, and compare Millennials and Generation Z to strengthen the findings. Originality/value: This research contributes new insights into the mechanisms linking social support to innovative behavior. By exploring the dual mediating roles of self-efficacy and work engagement, the study offers a more comprehensive understanding of how supportive work environments can drive innovation among young employees.