INFLUENCE OF INTERPERSONAL TRUST ON INNOVATIVE BEHAVIOUR OF SERVICE WORKERS: MEDIATING EFFECTS OF KNOWLEDGE SHARING

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of interpersonal trust among service workers (i.e., trust in co-workers and supervisors) on innovative behaviour and examined the mediating effect of knowledge sharing on these relationships. A total of 188 personal trainers from 11 fitness clubs participated in this study. The results revealed that both trust in co-workers and trust in supervisors have a positive effect on knowledge sharing. Although the effect of trust in co-workers on innovative behaviour was non-significant, trust in supervisors had a significant effect on innovative behaviour. The effect of employees’ knowledge sharing on innovative behaviour was also found to be significant. Additionally, the results indicated that knowledge sharing has a full mediating effect on the relationship between trust in co-workers and innovative behaviour and a partial mediating effect on the relationship between trust in supervisors and innovative behaviour.