Managerial support and innovative work behaviour in B corps: Examining the effect of female employee work engagement and corporate reputation

ABSTRACT B Corps aim to produce a positive impact on society and the environment while developing the organizational goals through a sustainable agenda. For this purpose, B Corps need innovative employees that contribute to increase their competitiveness, making them more attractive to investors. Based on the social exchange theory, this research proposes a model of innovative work behaviour in women that work in Latin America B Corps, hypothesizing that this behaviour can be influenced by managerial support. Likewise, the mediating role of employees’ work engagement in this relationship is analysed. Besides, the moderator role of reputation was explored. The sample consisted of 242 female employees from 16 B Corps located in Latin America. The results show that managerial support has effects on innovative work behaviour, both direct and through employees’ work engagement. The organizational reputation of the B Corps has demonstrated being a valid moderator of this relationship.