Motivate to Innovate: The Effect of Leader Motivating Language on the Innovative Work Behavior of Employees in the Heavy Equipment Industry

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Anthony C. Betia, MSc

Master of Science in Management

University of Asia and the Pacific

Keywords: Heavy equipment, motivating language, psychological empowerment, innovative work behavior, Philippines

ABSTRACT

Economic uncertainties and development opportunities in a volatile and competitive business landscape have highlighted the need to enhance employee innovation. This study addresses the gap in understanding how innovation is driven within firms. Using Motivating Language Theory (MLT) as a framework, a mixed-method approach was employed with 425 valid survey responses and 12 focus group discussion participants from the Philippine Heavy Equipment Industry. Descriptive statistics, PLS-SEM, and hierarchical regression analysis revealed that leader motivating language positively influences both innovative work behavior and psychological empowerment, and that psychological empowerment positively influences innovative work behavior. Among the three types of motivating language, empathetic (illocutionary) language was the most effective. Psychological empowerment partially mediated the positive relationship between motivating language and innovative work behavior, while demographic moderators were not significant. These findings suggest that promoting and enhancing motivational language in the workplace can improve employee empowerment and innovation, offering valuable insights for management strategy. Directions for future research and practical recommendations are also discussed.