Job demands, perceptions of effort‐reward fairness and innovative work behaviour

Abstract

Building on person‐environment fit theory and social exchange theory, the relationship between job demands and innovative work behaviour was assumed to be moderated by fairness perceptions of the ratio between effort spent and reward received at work. This interaction of job demands with perceptions of effort‐reward fairness was tested among 170 non‐management employees from a Dutch industrial organization in the food sector. Results demonstrated a positive relationship between job demands and innovative work behaviour when employees perceived effort‐reward fairness rather than under‐reward unfairness.