The Curvilinear Relationship between Self-efficacy and Creativity: The Moderating Role of Supervisor Close Monitoring

The assumption that self-efficacy always has a positive linear relation with job performance has been challenged both conceptually and empirically. Recent research suggests that excessive self-efficacy may negatively affect employees’ work outcomes. We propose a curvilinear association between employees’ self-efficacy and creativity. Further, we examine the moderating effect of supervisor close monitoring on the aforementioned relationship. Using a sample of 188 subordinate–supervisor dyads from South Korea, we find evidence of an inverted U-shaped relationship between self-efficacy and creativity that is moderated by supervisor close monitoring. Implications for both theory and practice are presented.