Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis Innovative Work Behavior as a Strategic Asset in Public Organizations

Abstract

Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) is increasingly recognized as a key driver of innovation, adaptability, and public value creation in public organizations. However, the existing literature remains fragmented across theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches, and levels of analysis. This study aims to systematically review and synthesize research on IWB within public sector contexts, focusing on its conceptualization, antecedents, outcomes, and its transformation into a strategic organizational asset. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines using the Scopus database, covering publications from 2020 to 2025. From an initial pool of 1,636 records, a rigorous screening process resulted in 50 peer-reviewed articles being selected for the final analysis. The study employed descriptive bibliometric analysis and thematic synthesis to identify publication trends, intellectual structures, and emerging research themes.

The findings indicate that IWB is predominantly conceptualized as a multistage process encompassing idea generation, idea promotion, and idea implementation. Furthermore, IWB is influenced by five major categories of antecedents: individual, job-related, leadership, organizational, and institutional factors. Psychological empowerment, work engagement, and knowledge sharing emerged as key mediating mechanisms, while the outcomes of IWB extend beyond individual performance to include organizational effectiveness and public value creation. Nevertheless, bureaucratic constraints and excessive workload pressures may hinder the successful enactment of innovative behaviors. This study concludes that IWB becomes a strategically valuable organizational asset when embedded within supportive organizational systems, effective leadership practices, and enabling institutional environments. The research contributes to the literature by integrating fragmented findings into a coherent multilevel framework and by reconceptualizing IWB as a strategic asset in public organizations. It also offers practical implications for strengthening innovation capacity and enhancing organizational performance in the public sector.