Supplementary file 1_Perceived workload and teaching innovative behavior in university teachers: parallel mediation by need for cognitive closure and thriving at work, gender multi-group.docx

Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this study examined the association between perceived workload and teaching innovative behavior among university teachers, as well as the mediating roles of need for cognitive closure and thriving at work. Although perceived workload has been associated with innovative behavior, limited research has simultaneously considered the cognitive and psychological processes underlying this association in higher education.</p>Methods<p>Data were collected from 634 university teachers through a cross-sectional questionnaire survey using convenience sampling and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.</p>Results<p>The results showed that perceived workload was negatively associated with teaching innovative behavior.

Need for cognitive closure and thriving at work both significantly mediated this association. Specifically, higher perceived workload was associated with a stronger need for cognitive closure, which was subsequently associated with lower teaching innovative behavior. Perceived workload was negatively related to thriving at work, which was, in turn, positively related to teaching innovative behavior.