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Unlocking Bootleg Innovation: The Roles of Paradox Mindset, Learning from Failure, and Strength Use

Jun Yin et al.

The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science2026https://doi.org/10.1177/00218863251414457article
AJG 2ABDC B
Weight
0.50

What the paper says

Bootleg innovation, self-initiated innovation by employees without formal organizational approval, plays an important role in enhancing organizational adaptability, especially in fast-changing digital work environments. While previous research has focused on structural or managerial antecedents, limited attention has been given to the cognitive and psychological foundations that motivate such informal innovation. Drawing on social cognitive theory, we examine how paradox mindset, learning from failure, and strength use jointly influence employees’ engagement in bootleg innovation. Using two-wave survey data from 518 employees in a large information and communications technology company, our findings show that paradox mindset promotes bootleg innovation both directly and indirectly by enhancing learning from failure and use of personal strengths. These results suggest that employees’ internal resources and adaptive cognition are key to driving innovation beyond formal roles. This study contributes by uncovering mechanisms that explain bootleg innovation and offers practical implications for supporting informal innovation in digitally transforming workplaces.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/00218863251414457

Or copy a formatted citation

@article{jun2026,
  title        = {{Unlocking Bootleg Innovation: The Roles of Paradox Mindset, Learning from Failure, and Strength Use}},
  author       = {Jun Yin et al.},
  journal      = {The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/00218863251414457},
}

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.