CSR perceptions, meaningful work and innovative behaviors: the moderated mediation effects of co-worker instrumental and emotional support

Purpose This study examines the role of meaningful work in mediating the relationship between employees’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and innovative behavior. This study further examines how co-worker support, both instrumental and emotional, moderates the meaningful work–innovative behavior relationship. Design/methodology/approach Utilizing survey data from 355 employees in South Korea with a two-wave longitudinal design, path modeling with the M-plus PROCESS macro was performed to analyze the mediation and second-stage moderated mediation effects. Findings The results showed that the relationship between employee CSR perceptions and innovative behavior was mediated by meaningful work. Co-worker instrumental support strengthened the meaningful work–innovative behavior relationship, whereas co-worker emotional support had no significant moderating effect. The three-way interaction analysis indicated that the meaningful work–innovative behavior relationship was weakest when co-worker instrumental support was low. Additionally, instrumental support by co-workers moderated the indirect effect of CSR perceptions on innovative behavior via meaningful work. Originality/value This research contributes to the literature on CSR perceptions and meaningful work. Our focus on meaningful work as a key psychological mechanism provides insights into how and why employee CSR perceptions promote desirable outcomes including innovative behavior, an underexplored yet important outcome. Furthermore, by identifying co-worker instrumental support as a significant boundary condition, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the social context that promotes innovative behavior.