Research
•Innovative work behaviour and innovation
•Psychological needs, empowerment, and motivation
•Leadership and social support
•Feedback (incidents, culture, orientation, and seeking)
•Informal learning and reflection
•Design of learning environments
Triggers and antecedents of innovative work behaviour
Having been the focus of my doctoral research, my first key research interest is the facilitation of innovative work behaviour in organizations. Innovative work behaviour is not only an important resource for organizational development but a valuable source of employees’ professional development. In this respect, the central question is how employees contribute to the development of innovations, which antecedents determine these contributions as well as what triggers these contributions.
Therefore, my research focuses on contextual conditions such as leadership and support and psychological conditions such as needs, empowerment, and motivation as antecedents of innovative work behaviour. Most importantly, I go beyond the mainstream of existing research by including behavioural antecedents such as informal learning activities at work (including feedback seeking) and reflection. Moreover, feedback (i.e., characteristics of feedback incidents, feedback culture and feedback orientation) is investigated as an important trigger of work innovative work behaviour and professional development.
Design of learning environments for motivation and transfer
My second key interest is the design of learning environments professional development in formal settings (e.g., professional training). Similar to my research on innovative work behaviour and professional development in non-formal settings (i.e., the workplace), I focus on psychological and contextual requirements for learning environment design. With respect to psychological requirements, I investigate whether particular learning environment designs enable learners’ needs satisfaction and, thus, enhances learning motivation and motivation to transfer. With respect to contextual requirements, I focus on the subsequent question whether particular learning environment designs are authentic, complex, and provide multiple representations and perspectives, and, thus, enable the application and further acquisition of knowledge and skills in multiple contexts.
publications
Journal Articles
Glas, M., Messmann, G., & Pernul, G. (2024). Complex yet attainable? An interdisciplinary approach to designing better cyber range exercises. Computers & Security, 144, Article 103965. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2024.103965
Evers, A. T., Messmann, G., & Kreijns, K. (2024). Distributed leadership, leader‑member exchange and innovative work behavior: The mediating role of basic psychological needs satisfaction. Current Psychology, 43(12), 11037–11049. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05048-4
Froehlich, D. E., Messmann, G., & Raemdonck, I. (2023). Editorial: Informal learning through work. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1156141. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1156141
Messmann, G. (2023). Fostering proactive behaviour: The role of work-related reflection, psychological empowerment, and participative safety for innovative behaviour and job crafting. International Journal of Training of Development, 27(1),
99-116. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12286
Messmann, G., Evers, A., & Kreijns, K. (2022). The role of basic psychological needs satisfaction in the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 33(1), 29–45. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrdq.21451
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2020). A short measure of innovative work behaviour as a dynamic, context-bound construct. International Journal of Manpower, 41(8), 1251–1267. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-01-2019-0029
Messmann, G., Mulder, R. H., & Palonen T. (2018). Vocational education teachers’ personal network at school as a resource for innovative work behaviour. Journal of Workplace Learning, 30(3), 174–185. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-08-2017-0069
Froehlich, D. E., & Messmann G. (2017). The social side of innovative work behavior: Determinants of social interaction during organizational innovation processes. Business Creativity and the Creative Economy, 3, 31–41. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1156141
Messmann, G., Stoffers, J., Van der Heijden, B., & Mulder, R. H. (2017). Joint effects of job demands and job resources on vocational teachers’ innovative work behaviour. Personnel Review, 46(8), 1948–1961. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-03-2016-0053
Widmann, A., Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2016). The impact of team learning behaviors on team innovative work behavior: A systematic review. Human Resource Development Review, 15(4), 429–458. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484316673713
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2015). Conditions for apprentices’ learning activities at work. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 67(4), 578–596. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2015.1094745
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2015). Reflection as a facilitator of teachers’ innovative work behaviour. International Journal of Training and Development, 19(2), 125–137. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12052
Mulder, R. H., Messmann, G., & König, C. (2015). Vocational education and training: Researching the relationship between school and work. European Journal of Education, 50(4), 497–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12147
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2014). Exploring the role of target specificity in the facilitation of vocational teachers’ innovative work behaviour. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 87(1), 80–101. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12035
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2012). Development of a measurement instrument for innovative work behaviour as a dynamic and context-bound construct. Human Resource Development International, 15(1), 43–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2011.646894
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2011). Innovative work behaviour in vocational colleges: Understanding how and why innovations are developed. Vocations and Learning, 4(1), 63–84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12186-010-9049-y
Messmann, G., Mulder, R. H., & Gruber, H. (2010). Relations between vocational teachers’ characteristics of professionalism and their innovative work behaviour. Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training, 2(1), 21–40. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03546487
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2009). Zusammenhänge zwischen Lernmotivation und Lernumgebungsmerkmalen an beruflichen Schulen: Jugendliche ohne Ausbildungsplatz und Auszubildende im Vergleich. Zeitschrift für Berufs- und Wirtschaftspädagogik, 105(3), 343–360.
Book Chapters
Gerken, M., Messmann, G., Froehlich, D. E., Beausaert, S. A. J., Mulder, R. H., & Segers, M. (2018). Informal learning at work as a facilitator of employees’ innovative work behaviour. In G. Messmann, M. Segers, & F. Dochy (Eds.), Informal learning at work: Triggers, antecedents, and consequences (pp. 80–99). London: Routledge.
Segers, M., Messmann, G., & Dochy, F. (2018). Emergence, theoretical foundation, and conceptualisation of informal learning at work. In G. Messmann, M. Segers, & F. Dochy (Eds.), Informal learning at work: Triggers, antecedents, and consequences (pp. 1–11). London: Routledge.
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2017). Proactive employees: The relationship between work-related reflection and innovative work behaviour. In M. Goller & S. Paloniemi (Eds.), Agency at work: An agentic perspective on professional learning and development(pp. 141–159). Dordrecht: Springer.doi:10.1007/978-3-319-60943-0_8
König, C., Messmann, G., Mulder, R. H., & De Maeyer, S. (2015). Accounting for complexity: Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) in HRD Research. In M. N. K. Saunders & P. Tosey (Eds.), Handbook of Research Methods on Human Resource Development (pp. 273-290). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Mulder, R. H., Messmann, G., & Gruber, H. (2009). Professionelle Entwicklung von Lehrenden als Verbindung von Professionalität und professionellem Handeln. In O. Zlatkin-Troitschanskaia, K. Beck, D. Sembill, R. Nickolaus, & R. H. Mulder (Hrsg.), Lehrprofessionalität. Bedingungen, Genese, Wirkungen und ihre Messung (pp. 401-409). Weinheim: Beltz.
Books and Research Reports
Messmann, G., Segers, M., & Dochy, F. (Eds.) (2018). Informal learning at work: Triggers, antecedents, and consequences. London: Routledge.
Messmann, G. (2012). Innovative work behaviour: Investigating the nature and facilitation of vocational teachers' contributions to innovation development. Doctoral dissertation, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2009). Zusammenhänge zwischen Professionalitätsmerkmalen und innovativem Arbeitsverhalten. Ergebnisse einer Fragebogenstudie im Bereich beruflicher Schulen. Forschungsbericht Nr. 4, Lehrstuhl für Pädagogik II, Universität Regensburg.
Messmann, G. (2006). Die Veränderung der motivationalen Regulation und deren Determinanten im Rahmen einer berufspraktischen Lernumgebung. Eine Analyse am Beispiel Jugendlicher ohne Ausbildungsplatz. Unveröffentlichte Magisterarbeit, Universität Regensburg.
Conference Presentations and Symposia
Messmann, G. (2021, August). The role of empowerment and reflection for fostering job crafting and innovative work behaviour. Paper presented at the 19th Biennial EARLI Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction, Gothenburg (Sweden).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2017, September). Development and validation of a short scale for measuring innovative work behaviour. Paper presented at the 17th Biennial EARLI Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction, Tampere (Finland).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2017, September). Effects of perceived feedback culture and work motivation on informal learning after feedback. Paper presented at the 17th Biennial EARLI Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction, Tampere (Finland).
Froehlich, D. E., & Messmann, G. (2016, August). The social side of innovative work behaviour: Determinants of social interaciton during organizational innovation processes. Paper presented at the at the 8th Conference of the EARLI SIG Learning and Professional Development, Regensburg (Germany).
Messmann, G., Stoffers, J., Van der Heijden, B. J. M. & Mulder, R. H. (2016, August). Joint effects of job demands and job resources on vocational teachers’ innovative work behaviour. Paper presented at the at the 8th Conference of the EARLI SIG Learning and Professional Development, Regensburg (Germany).
Messmann, G., Mulder, R. H. & Palonen, T. (2016, August). Exploring the role of vocational teachers’ personal network at school as a resource for innovative work behaviour. Paper presented at the at the 8th Conference of the EARLI SIG Learning and Professional Development, Regensburg (Germany).
Messmann, G., Stoffers, J., Van der Heijden, B. I. J. M., & Mulder, R. H. (2016, February). Interactive effects of job demands, psychological empowerment, and participative safety on innovative work behavior. Paper presented at the 2016 AHRD International Research Conference in the Americas, Jacksonville, FL (United States of America).
Gerken, M., Messmann, G., Froehlich, D. E., Beausaert, S. A. J., & Segers, M., (2015, August). On the relation between social informal learning activities and innovative work behaviour. Paper presented at the 16th Biennial EARLI Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction, Limassol (Cyprus).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2015, August). Reflection as a facilitator of educators’ innovative work behaviour. Paper presented at the 16th Biennial EARLI Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction, Limassol (Cyprus).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2015, August). Facilitative conditions for apprentices’ informal learning activities at the workplace. Paper presented at the 16th Biennial EARLI Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction, Limassol (Cyprus).
Messmann, G., Segers, M., & Dochy, F. (2015, August). Triggers, antecedents, and consequences of informal learning at work. Symposium organised at the 16th Biennial EARLI Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction, Limassol (Cyprus).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2015, June). Facilitative conditions for apprentices’ learning activities at the workplace. Paper presented at the 16th International Conference on Human Resource Development Research and Practice across Europe, Cork (Ireland).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2014, June). Reflection as a facilitator of educators' innovative work behaviour. Paper presented at the 15th International Conference on Human Resource Development Research and Practice across Europe, Edinburgh (United Kingdom).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2013, March). Individual and contextual facilitators of vocational teachers' innovative work behaviour. Paper presented at the 3rd Congress on Research on Vocational Education and Training, SFIVET Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, Bern (Switzerland).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2011, August). Individual and contextual facilitators of vocational teachers’ innovative work behavior. Paper presented at the 14th Biennial Conference of the European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction, Exeter (United Kingdom).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2010, August). The use of personal experiences within the measurement of innovative work behaviour. Paper presented at the 5th Conference of the EARLI SIG Learning and Professional Development, Munich (Germany).
Messmann, G., Maier, V., & Mulder, R. H. (2010, March). Innovative work behaviour: Development and validation of a measure. Paper presented at the 9th International School on Educational Research, Niederalteich (Germany).
Messmann, G., Maier, V., & Mulder, R. H. (2010, March). Innovative work behaviour: Development and validation of a measure. Paper presented at the 8th Interdisciplinary European Conference on Entrepreneurship Research, Regensburg (Germany).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2009, August). Innovative behaviour at work: Triggers, teachers' activities and innovations in vocational education. Paper presented at the 13th Biennial Conference of the European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction, Amsterdam (The Netherlands).
Messmann, G., Rupprecht, M., & Mulder, R. H. (2009, June). Innovative behaviour for the development of innovations in different domains: The cases of vocational teachers and consultants. Reviewed paper presented at the 6th International Conference on Researching Work and Learning, Roskilde (Denmark).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2009, Januar). Entwicklung von Innovationen an beruflichen Schulen: Auslösende Faktoren und innovatives Verhalten von Lehrenden. Präsentation auf der Frühjahrstagung der Sektion Berufs- und Wirtschaftspädagogik der DGfE, Mannheim (Deutschland).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2008, August). Innovation processes at work: Triggers, teachers' activities and innovations in vocational education. Poster presented at the 4th Conference of the EARLI SIG Learning and Professional Development, Jyvaskyla (Finland).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2008, July). Relations between innovativeness and flexible expertise of teachers as prerequisites for innovation in vocational education. Paper presented at the 12th Conference of Junior Researchers of EARLI (JURE), Leuven (Belgium).
Messmann, G., Mulder, R. H., & Gruber, H. (2007, October). Teacher expertise as basis for instructional innovation in vocational schools. Paper presented at the international conference 'Research on Vocational Education and Training for International Comparison and as International Comparison', Semi-Annual Meeting, Division Vocational and Occupational Education, German Educational Research Association, Göttingen (Germany).
Messmann, G., & Mulder, R. H. (2007, März). Merkmale innovativer Lernumgebungen als Einflussfaktoren auf die Motivation von Jugendlichen ohne Ausbildungsplatz: Anregungen für die Neukonzeption der beruflichen Bildung. Paperpräsentation auf der Frühjahrstagung der Sektion Berufs- und Wirtschaftspädagogik der DGfE, Zürich (Schweiz).
Mulder, R. H., Kahmann, K., Laubenbacher, S., & Messmann, G. (2006, August). Characteristics of learning environments in secondary vocational education and the relation with work identity. Paper presented at the 3rd Converence of the EARLI SIG Learning and Professional Development, Heerlen (The Netherlands).
cv
since 2013 | University teacher and postdoc researcher at the Chair of Educational Science II (Prof. Dr. Regina H. Mulder), University of Regensburg |
2011 - 2013 | Research assistant and trainer at the Centre for Training and Development, University of Regensburg |
2007 - 2012 | PhD in Educational Science, University of Regensburg, Germany (supervisor: Prof. Dr. Regina H. Mulder, grade: summa cum laude) |
2007 - 2011 | Research assistant at the Chair of Educational Science II (Prof. Dr. Regina H. Mulder), University of Regensburg |
2005 - 2006 | Student assistant at the Chair of Educational Science II (Prof. Dr. Regina H. Mulder), University of Regensburg |
2002 - 2007 | Master studies in Educational Science (Minors: Sociology, Psychology), University of Regensburg, Germany (GPA: 1.1) Master thesis: Development and determinants of motivational regulation in a job task-based learning environment for youngsters without apprenticeship training. |