THE EFFECT OF TEAM LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATIVENESS ON CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYEES' JOB PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY OF MALAYSIA INDUSTRIAL ESTATES LTD

Abstract: Purpose-The role of leaders in ensuring excellent organizational performance should parallel with adequate innovativeness. The purpose of this study is to investigate the positive development of the selected industry (MIEL) on effective leadership in conducting projects and embracing innovativeness to lead the workforce. Design/methodology/approach-Data were collected from 119employees' grades/positions G6 to G13 using questionnaires. A partial least squares- structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test a set of hypotheses stemming from a conceptual model of leadership, innovativeness, and employee job performance. Findings- The empirical results showed that only process innovation significantly impacts MIEL employees' job performance. Leadership and innovative culture do not impact the MIEL employees' job performance. The leadership of MIEL leaders does not play a significant role and does not increase employees' job performance when it relates to the system implementation. Practical implications-The findings from this study can help construction companies like MIE Industrial Ltd. by providing insight for the leaders on how to be more effective in managing employees with success achievement towards company objective in this new system implementation which involve millions ringgit cost of development. Furthermore, the findings from this study which associate with innovativeness, points towards the importance of employee job performance to anticipate company growth. Originality/Value-This research was a real case study and positively highlighted the company's leadership towards employees' performance. Partially, this research study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic which provides a unique setting to examine resilience and learning. Paper type- Research pape