ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP AND EMPLOYEES’ CREATIVITY: THE ROLE OF INTRINSIC MOTIVATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL MOTIVATION TO INNOVATE

Creativity is vital for the success and competitiveness of agricultural research organizations, particularly in addressing the growing need for innovative solutions to address pressing challenges. This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership (EL) and employee creativity (EC), focusing on the mediating role of intrinsic motivation (IM) and the moderating effect of organizational motivation to innovate (OMI). Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed via Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal a positive relationship between EL and EC, with IM as a significant partial mediator. Interestingly, the study finds that OMI negatively moderates the EL–EC link, a factor often neglected in existing research. These findings provide insights into how leadership style and motivational dynamics shape creativity. The study recommends that leaders in agricultural research institutions adopt an entrepreneurial leadership approach to foster a more creative and innovation-friendly environment among employees.