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When and Why People Engage in Different Forms of Proactive Behavior: Interactive Effects of Self-construals and Work Characteristics

Wu, Chia-Huei; Parker, Sharon K.; Wu, Long-Zeng; Lee, Cynthia

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Authors

Chia-Huei Wu

Sharon K. Parker

Long-Zeng Wu

Cynthia Lee



Abstract

When and why do people engage in different forms of proactive behavior at work? We propose that as a result of a process of trait activation, employees with different types of self-construal engage in distinct forms of proactive behavior if they work in environments consistent with their self-construals. In an experimental Study 1 (n = 61), we examined the effect of self-construals on proactivity and found that people primed with interdependent self-construals engaged in more work unit–oriented proactive behavior when job interdependence was also manipulated. Priming independent self-construals did not enhance career-oriented proactive behavior, even when we manipulated job autonomy. In a field Study 2 (n = 205), we found that employees with interdependent self-construals working in jobs with high interdependence reported higher work unit commitment and higher work unit–oriented proactive behavior compared to employees in low interdependent jobs. Employees with independent self-construals working in jobs with high autonomy also exhibited stronger career commitment and more career-oriented proactive behavior than did those in jobs with low autonomy. This research offers a theoretical framework to explain how dispositional and situational factors interactively shape people’s engagement in different forms of proactive behavior.

Citation

Wu, C., Parker, S. K., Wu, L., & Lee, C. (2018). When and Why People Engage in Different Forms of Proactive Behavior: Interactive Effects of Self-construals and Work Characteristics. Academy of Management Journal, 61(1), 293-323. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2013.1064

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 23, 2017
Online Publication Date Mar 30, 2017
Publication Date Feb 1, 2018
Deposit Date Jul 13, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Academy of Management Journal
Print ISSN 0001-4273
Electronic ISSN 1948-0989
Publisher Academy of Management
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 61
Issue 1
Pages 293-323
DOI https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2013.1064
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1354272
Related Public URLs http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/71991/

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