The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of knowledge-sharing behavior (KSB) in the relationship between employee engagement and innovative work behavior (IWB). We collected 193 completed survey responses from employees working in the service sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Drawing on social exchange theory (SET), we employed hierarchical regression to analyze the research framework and the mediation effect. The primary findings indicate a significant positive association between employee engagement and IWB, as well as between employee engagement and KSB. Additionally, there is a significant positive association between KSB and IWB. Furthermore, employee engagement has an indirect effect on IWB via the mediating role of KSB. We recommend further research and practical investigation into how employee engagement contributes to enhancing knowledge-sharing behavior and IWB, ultimately improving organizational performance.This systematic review underscores the significance of learning communities as fertile grounds for skill development across diverse contexts. Furthermore, it reviews and theoretically evaluates several commonly used strategies, methods, and supports for developing skills within learning communities by synthesizing the existing literature. We followed the procedure outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to ensure a transparent, comprehensive, and standardized approach to conducting and reporting our systematic review, thereby enhancing the review's credibility and reproducibility. Through an extensive analysis of the literature, we identified eleven strategies, methods, and supports (application of collaborative projects, mentorship programs, workshops and training sessions, online learning platforms, peer learning and feedback, problem-based learning, cross-collaboration initiatives, leadership development programs, inclusive learning environments, gamification and simulations, and social media and networking) that play pivotal roles in nurturing different types of skills. We describe each identified solution, its advantages and challenges, the types of skills targeted for development, and their overall contribution to skill enhancement. The findings emphasize the importance of fostering collaborative and interactive environments within learning communities to facilitate collective skill development and personal growth. Our systematic review faced some challenges (e.g., heterogeneity of studies and lack of longitudinal data) due to the overwhelming diversity of the literature on skill development across various disciplines and contexts. Overall, by synthesizing existing knowledge and identifying gaps in the literature, this review serves as a foundation for advancing theory, informing practice, and promoting continual improvement in skill development within learning communities.
