Modeling the pathway from transformational leadership to innovative work behavior via AI readiness: advancing SDG 4 and SDG 8 in Indonesian higher education

Abstract

Drawing on a cross-sectional survey of 250 lecturers and administrative staff from Indonesian higher education institutions (HEIs), this study examined the statistical relationships among transformational leadership, AI readiness, and innovative work behavior (IWB) using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings showed that transformational leadership was positively associated with AI readiness (β = 0.654, p < 0.001) and IWB (β = 0.322, p < 0.001), while AI readiness was positively associated with IWB (β = 0.451, p < 0.001). The indirect effect of transformational leadership on IWB through AI readiness was also significant (β = 0.295, p < 0.001), indicating partial statistical mediation. The structural model explained 56.4% of the variance in IWB, suggesting substantial explanatory power for innovation-related behavior within the sampled HEIs. These findings indicate that transformational leadership and employees’ readiness to adopt AI are meaningfully associated with higher levels of innovative work behavior in Indonesian higher education institutions. However, because the study employed a cross-sectional design, the results should be interpreted as evidence of statistical associations rather than causal relationships. The study discusses the implications of these findings in the context of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), while acknowledging that SDG outcomes were not directly measured in the empirical model.