The Impact of Paradoxical Leadership on employee Outcome: Moderating Role of Regulatory Focus and Mediating Role of Psychological Empowerment

Abstract

Nowadays, in modern organizational landscape employees are increasingly acknowledged leaders in dynamic and complex environments. Paradoxical leadership, characterized by the ability to navigate conflicting or contradictory forces, plays a significant role in effectively managing such complexities. This article explores influence of paradoxical leadership and employee innovation within telecom industry (Mobilink), shedding light on the influence of psychological empowerment (mediating) and regulatory focus (moderating) mechanisms. With data from 367 employee filled questionnaire, this study conducted structural equation model for hypothetical testing. Results shows (a) leadership paradox behavior and employees innovation positively related (b) psychological empowerment mediate effects on paradoxical leader’s (c) subordinate regulatory focus act as moderator among relationship. The study, conducted in context of Pakistan's telecom sector, investigates relations between paradoxical leadership attributes and innovative behavior, aiming to provide valuable insights for organizational leaders to enhance innovation and workforce behavior.

Keywords: Paradoxical leadership, regulatory focus, Innovative work behavior, psychological empowerment.