Agile Work Methods and Autonomy as Catalysts for Innovation: An Empirical Study

This study addresses the growing need for empirical research on the concept of agility and its impact within workplace settings. Grounded in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory, the research investigates the relationship between agile work methods and innovative work behaviour, while examining the mediating role of job autonomy. On the basis of survey data collected from large firms in Italy in 2024, the findings support the proposed model, showing that job autonomy partially mediates the relationship between agile practices and innovative behaviour. The study highlights that favourable individual and organisational conditions, aligned with agile work methods, can enhance the positive influence of autonomy as a job resource on employees’ innovative behaviour. These results offer valuable insights for scholars in management and organisational studies, as well as for managers and practitioners aiming to promote employee engagement in innovative solutions within their organisations.