Diversity of Social Ties and Employee Innovation: The Importance of Informal Learning and Reciprocity

This study examines the relationship between employees’ social tie diversity (ties heterogeneity based on organizational functions), innovative work behavior, informal field-based learning, and reciprocity (bidirectional ties proportion). A sample of 182 workers from an Italian clothing manufacturing company was analyzed. The findings reveal that positively influences their is mediated by learning. Additionally, strengthens indirect link behavior. research contributes to network innovation literature corroborating role in promoting behaviors, highlighting importance emphasizing impact reciprocity. By doing so, this offers insights into processes conditions under which has greatest employee innovation, providing practical implications for fostering behaviors organizations.