Effects of Smart Work Use on Innovative Behavior: Focusing on the Moderating Role of Organizational Goal Ambiguity

This study examines how smart work use affects innovative behavior among public bureaucrats, particularly focusing on the moderating role of organizational goal ambiguity. Using large-scale survey data from Korean central and local governments ( N = 29,197), we discover that smart work use, work autonomy, and innovative culture significantly enhance innovation, whereas organizational goal ambiguity suppresses it. Notably, smart work benefits are diminished under goal ambiguity conditions. These findings offer new insights into designing flexible work policies in the public sector, especially where performance and innovation are prioritized.