Exploring the Interplay Between Personality Traits, Innovative Work Behavior, and Occupational Stress in a PSU R&D Organization: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: In today’s fast-paced organizational milieu, innovation is a linchpin for sustainable growth. Concurrently, the modern workplace is fraught with stressors that can impair performance and well-being. This study focuses on employees in a PSU R&D (Public Sector Undertaking Research and Development) organization, aiming to decipher the complex connections between IWB and OS. Methodology: The research employed a quantitative, cross-sectional design. Using stratified random sampling, 250 employees were categorized by their years of experience Structured questionnaires measured IWB and OS, specifically focusing on Role Overload, Role Ambiguity, and Role Conflict. Results: Correlation analysis illuminated significant relationships between IWB and OS dimensions. Personality traits, particularly Conscientiousness and Extraversion, exhibited varying impacts on different IWB components and OS dimensions. Notably, Conscientiousness positively predicted Idea Realization, emphasizing the role of diligence and persistence in innovation. Surprisingly, Extraversion correlated negatively with Role Overload, suggesting a unique organizational context effect. Conclusion: This study enhances our understanding of the complex interplay between personality traits, IWB, and OS in PSU R&D organizations. It provides actionable insights for HR practitioners and leaders, highlighting the context-driven nature of these relationships.