Technology readiness (TR) refers to people's propensity to embrace and use modern technologies. Nowadays, the proliferation of technology-based products and services brings consumers not only benefits but also frustration over the ineffective use of products and services. Against this background, the present study examines the impact workers’ social technology readiness has on their innovative work behavior. Specifically, we investigate how social technology (ST) motivators (i.e., optimism and innovativeness) and inhibitors (i.e., discomfort and insecurity) affect innovative behaviors at work. For this, we proposed a theoretical framework contending that these drivers and inhibitors affect the social technology readiness factors. These included 1. Social technology exploration, 2. Perceived usefulness of social technology, 3. Ease of Use of Social Technology, 4. Empowering Leadership, and 5. Innovation-Oriented Culture. These factors change the usage pattern. These included 1. The usage rate of basic functions, 2. The usage rate of innovative functions, and 3. The verity of Use of Innovative Functions. This would in turn affect Innovative work behavior and Satisfaction. Empirical validity was established by conducting a survey using a close-ended questionnaire. Data was collected from 305 respondents and analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structured equation modeling. The results suggested that motivating factors of Social Technology like Innovativeness, and Optimism have a significant positive effect on Empowering Leadership, Perceived usefulness of ST, and ST exploration. ST Optimism, along with the ST inhibiting factor of ST in security also seems to positively affect the Ease of Use of Social Technology, the Usage rate of basic functions, the Usage rate of innovative functions, and Innovation Oriented Culture. ST insecurity negatively affects Verity of Use of Innovative Functions, whereas ST discomfort inhibits Empowering Leadership. Interestingly, ST discomfort positively impacts the Perceived usefulness of social technology, the Usage rate of basic and innovative functions, and the Verity of Use of Innovative Functions. ST in security also positively affects Empowering Leadership. Moreover, ST discomfort and ST optimism both increase Innovative work behavior. Another interesting finding was that Ease of Use of Social Technology negatively affects the Usage rate of basic and innovative functions, however, positively affect the Verity of Use of Innovative Function (VUIF), VUIF also seems to be positively influenced by Innovative work behavior, and Perceived usefulness of social technology. Innovation Oriented Culture is also influenced by the Usage rate of basic and innovative functions, as well as the Verity of Uses of Innovative Functions. Empowering Leadership negatively influences the Usage rate of innovative functions, which in turn positively affects satisfaction. We discuss the implications of this result for research and practice
