A Literature Review on Proactive Performance: Based on Proactive Behavior
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/rnbref31Keywords:
Proactive performance, proactive behavior, influencing factors, impact outcomes.Abstract
Proactive behavior is considered one of the most important work behaviors for employees in the 21st century and is essential for modern enterprise management. While traditional management models required employees to follow specific instructions and task descriptions, the current organizational management environment has changed significantly. Organizations are becoming increasingly decentralized, facing rapid environmental changes, higher uncertainty, intense competition, and greater demands for innovation. Consequently, the need for proactive behavior among employees has become more prominent in modern enterprise management. However, there is a notable lack of proactive work behavior among employees in contemporary enterprises. In response to this, this paper systematically reviews relevant literature, first providing a comprehensive overview of the concept origin, core connotation, and distinctions and connections between proactive behavior and related concepts. Secondly, the paper analyzes the influencing factors of employee proactive behavior and elaborates on its positive and negative impacts on both employees and organizations. Finally, the paper suggests that future research should utilize both static and dynamic methods to thoroughly analyze the combined effects of individual capabilities, attitudes, values, as well as organizational culture and leadership styles, and how these factors interact to influence the outcomes of proactive behavior. Additionally, cross-cultural research will help us understand the differences in the outcomes of proactive behavior across various cultural contexts.
Downloads
References
[1] Bateman T S, Crant J M. The proactive component of organizational behavior: A measure and correlates. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1993, 14 (2): 103 - 118. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030140202
[2] Frese M, Kring W, Soose A, et al. Personal initiative at work: Differences between East and West Germany. Academy of Management Journal, 1996, 39 (1): 37 - 63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/256630
[3] Parker S, Williams H, Turner N. Modeling the antecedents of proactive behavior at work. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 2006, 91: 636 - 652. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.91.3.636
[4] Griffin M A, Neal A, Parker S K. A new model of work role performance: Positive behavior in uncertain and interdependent contexts. Academy of Management Journal, 2007, 50 (2): 327 - 347. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2007.24634438
[5] Parker S, Wang Y (Lena), Liao J. When is proactivity wise? A review of factors that influence the individual outcomes of proactive behavior, 2019, 6: 221 - 248. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-012218-015302
[6] Zhang Ying, Duan Jinyun, Wang Fuxi, et al. "One takes on the color of one's company": How colleagues' proactive behavior stimulates employees' motivation and performance. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 2022, 54 (5): 516 - 528. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1041.2022.00516
[7] Grant A M. Does intrinsic motivation fuel the prosocial fire? Motivational synergy in predicting persistence, performance, and productivity. Journal of Applied Psychology, 2008, 93 (1): 48 - 58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.93.1.48
[8] Pan Xiaofu, Qin Qiwen, Zhang Yonghong, et al. The impact of organizational psychological ownership and organization-based self-esteem on positive organizational behavior. Psychological Science, 2012, 35 (3): 718 - 724.
[9] Xu Qin, Xi Meng, Zhao Shuming. A study on abusive supervision and employees' proactive behavior from the perspective of work engagement and core self-evaluation. Chinese Journal of Management, 2015, 12 (3): 347 - 354.
[10] Liu Yang, Zhu Wei, Zhao Shuming. A study on the impact of inclusive leadership style on employment relationship climate and employees' proactive behavior. Chinese Journal of Management, 2016, 13 (10): 1482 - 1489.
[11] Zhao Xin, Zhao Xiping, Zhou Mi, et al. A new field in organizational behavior research: A review and prospect of positive behavior research. Chinese Journal of Management, 2011, 8 (11): 1719 - 1727.
[12] Kubala A L, Katz M. Nutritional factors in psychological test behavior. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 1960. DOI:10/gtwzj7.
[13] Fay D, Sonnentag S. A look back to move ahead: New directions for research on proactive performance and other discretionary work behaviours. Applied Psychology, 2010, 59 (1): 1 - 20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2009.00413.x
[14] Bateman T S, Organ D W. Job satisfaction and the good soldier: The relationship between affect and employee "citizenship.". Academy of Management Journal, 1983, 26 (4): 587 - 595. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/255908
[15] Crant J M. Proactive behavior in organizations. Journal of Management, 2000, 26 (3): 435 - 462. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0149-2063(00)00044-1
[16] Parker S K, Collins C G. Taking stock: Integrating and differentiating multiple proactive behaviors. Journal of Management, 2010, 36 (3): 633 - 662. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206308321554
[17] Belschak F D, Den Hartog D N. Pro-self, prosocial, and pro-organizational foci of proactive behaviour: Differential antecedents and consequences. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 2010, 83 (2): 475 - 798. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1348/096317909X439208
[18] Morrison E W, Phelps C C. Taking charge at work: Extrarole efforts to initiate workplace change. Academy of Management Journal, 1999, 42 (4): 403 - 419. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/257011
[19] Parker S K, Bindl U K. Proactive work behavior: Forward-thinking and change-oriented action in organizations. In: APA handbook of industrial and organizational psychology, Vol 2: Selecting and developing members for the organization. Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association, 2011: 567 - 598. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/12170-019
[20] Fu Xuecui. Study on the relationship between supervisor commitment and employees' job performance: Taking proactive behavior as a mediating variable. Shandong University of Finance and Economics, 2013.
[21] Zhou Yufan, Zhang Jianwei, Zhang Chenyu, et al. The mechanism of proactive personality on R&D personnel's innovative behavior: From the integrated perspective of trait activation theory and conservation of resources theory. Soft Science, 2020, 34 (7): 33 - 37.
[22] Frese M, Fay D. Personal initiative: An active performance concept for work in the 21st century. Research in Organizational Behavior - RES ORGAN BEH, 2001, 23: 133 - 187. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-3085(01)23005-6
[23] Strauss K, Griffin M A, Parker S K, et al. Building and sustaining proactive behaviors: The role of adaptivity and job satisfaction. Journal of Business and Psychology, 2015, 30 (1): 63 - 72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-013-9334-5
[24] Chen S, Jiang W, Zhang G, et al. Spiritual leadership on proactive workplace behavior: The role of organizational identification and psychological safety. Frontiers in Psychology, 2019, 10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01206
[25] Tang Yating, Wang Wei, Li Yongxin. The impact of inclusive leadership on employees' behavior: The role of power distance. Psychological Research, 2021, 14 (1): 52 - 58.
[26] Jia Jianfeng, Jiao Yuxin, Yan Jiaqi. A study on the mechanism of ethical leadership's impact on employees' proactive behavior. Chinese Journal of Management, 2020, 17 (9): 1327 - 1335.
[27] Xu S, Zhang H, Dai Y, et al. Distributed leadership and new generation employees' proactive behavior: Roles of idiosyncratic deals and meaningfulness of work. Frontiers in Psychology, 2021, 12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.755513
[28] Huang Youli, Wei Zhibin, Wang Yu, et al. A study on the impact of destructive leadership behavior on employees' proactive behavior: Based on the role of negative emotions and locus of control. Human Resources Development of China, 2018, 35 (5): 49 - 59.
[29] Liu Bing, Xu Xiao, Xu Lu. Authoritarian leadership and employees' proactive behavior: A cross-level study. Forecasting, 2017, 36 (3): 8 - 13.
[30] Sonnentag S, Spychala A. Job control and job stressors as predictors of proactive work behavior: Is role breadth self-efficacy the link? Human Performance, 2012, 25 (5): 412 - 431. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08959285.2012.721830
[31] Yang Wansu, Yang Xi, Yang Shanlin. The impact of challenging stressors on new generation employees' proactive-passive innovative behavior. Science & Technology Progress and Policy, 2019, 36 (8): 139 - 145.
[32] Hu Qing, Wang Shengnan, Zhang Xingwei, et al. Review and prospect of proactive behavior at work. Advances in Psychological Science, 2011, 19 (10): 1534 - 1543.
[33] Grant A M, Ashford S J. The dynamics of proactivity at work. Research in Organizational Behavior, 2008, 28: 3 - 34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riob.2008.04.002
[34] Caesens G, Marique G, Hanin D, et al. The relationship between perceived organizational support and proactive behaviour directed towards the organization. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 2016, 25 (3): 398 - 411. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2015.1092960
[35] Abbas A. The role of organizational virtuousness in reinforcement proactive work behavior. Management of Organizations Systematic Research, 2022, 87: 1 - 20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/mosr-2022-0001
[36] Seibert S E, Kraimer M L, Crant J M. What do proactive people do? A longitudinal model linking proactive personality and career success. Personnel Psychology, 2001, 54 (4): 845 - 874. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2001.tb00234.x
[37] Ashforth B E, Sluss D M, Saks A M. Socialization tactics, proactive behavior, and newcomer learning: Integrating socialization models. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2007, 70 (3): 447 - 462. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2007.02.001
[38] Cooper-Thomas H D, Paterson N L, Stadler M J, et al. The relative importance of proactive behaviors and outcomes for predicting newcomer learning, well-being, and work engagement. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2014, 84 (3): 318 - 331. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2014.02.007
[39] VandeWalle D. A goal orientation model of feedback-seeking behavior. Human Resource Management Review, 2003, 13 (4): 581 - 604. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2003.11.004
[40] Pitt L, Ewing M, Berthon P. Proactive behavior and industrial salesforce performance. Industrial Marketing Management, 2002, 31: 639 - 644. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0019-8501(01)00171-7
[41] Mallin M, Ragland C B, Finkle T A. The proactive behavior of younger salespeople: Antecedents and outcomes. Journal of Marketing Channels, 2014. DOI:10/ggct2s. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1046669X.2014.945359
[42] Gong Y, Cheung S Y, Wang M, et al. Unfolding the proactive process for creativity. Journal of Management - J MANAGE, 2010, 36.
[43] Van Dyne L, LePine J A. Helping and voice extra-role behaviors: Evidence of construct and predictive validity. Academy of Management Journal, 1998, 41 (1): 108 - 119. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/256902
[44] Blickle G, Witzki A, Schneider P B. Self-initiated mentoring and career success: A predictive field study. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2009, 74 (1): 94 - 101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2008.10.008
[45] Wayne S J, Liden R C, Kraimer M L, et al. The role of human capital, motivation and supervisor sponsorship in predicting career success. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1999, 20 (5): 577 - 595. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1379(199909)20:5<577::AID-JOB958>3.0.CO;2-0
[46] Spychala A, Sonnentag S. The dark and the bright sides of proactive work behaviour and situational constraints: Longitudinal relationships with task conflicts. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 2011, 20 (5): 654 - 680. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2010.487646
[47] Bateman T, Crant J. Proactive behavior: Meaning, impact, recommendations. Business Horizons, 1999, 42: 63 - 70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0007-6813(99)80023-8
[48] Lam W, Huang X, Snape E. Feedback-seeking behavior and leader-member exchange: Do supervisor-attributed motives matter? Academy of Management Journal, 2007, 50(2): 348-363. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2007.24634440
[49] Thompson J A. Proactive personality and job performance: A social capital perspective. Journal of Applied Psychology, 2005, 90 (5): 1011 - 1017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.90.5.1011
[50] Li N, Liang J, Crant J M. The role of proactive personality in job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior: A relational perspective. Journal of Applied Psychology, 2010, 95 (2): 395 - 404. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018079
[51] Tang Yuhong, Zhao Chenhui, Mao Jianghua, et al. A study on the relationship between employees' proactive behavior and innovative performance from the perspective of status competition. Science Research Management, 2021, 42 (3): 191 - 200.
[52] Kirkman B L, Rosen B. Beyond self-management: Antecedents and consequences of team empowerment. Academy of Management Journal, 1999, 42 (1): 58 - 74. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/256874
[53] Dormann C, Zapf D. Customer-related social stressors and burnout. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2004, 9: 61 - 82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-8998.9.1.61
[54] Pingel R, Fay D, Urbach T. A resources perspective on when and how proactive work behaviour leads to employee withdrawal. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 2019, 92 (2): 410 - 435. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12254
[55] Strauss K, Parker S K, O’Shea D. When does proactivity have a cost? Motivation at work moderates the effects of proactive work behavior on employee job strain. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2017, 100: 15 - 26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2017.02.001
[56] Cangiano F, Parker S K, Ouyang K. Too proactive to switch off: When taking charge drains resources and impairs detachment. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2021, 26 (2): 142 - 154. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000265
[57] Ouyang K, Lam W, Cheng B H, et al. How do I stay proactive? Examining proactive behavior from a self-regulatory resource perspective. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2016, 2016(1): 14944. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/ambpp.2016.14944abstract
[58] Chan D. Interactive effects of situational judgment effectiveness and proactive personality on work perceptions and work outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 2006, 91 (2): 475 - 481. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.91.2.475
[59] Bolino M C. Citizenship and impression management: Good soldiers or good actors? The Academy of Management Review, 1999, 24 (1): 82 - 98. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/259038
[60] Fast N J, Burris E R, Bartel C A. Managing to stay in the dark: Managerial self-efficacy, ego defensiveness, and the aversion to employee voice. Academy of Management Journal, 2014, 57 (4): 1013 - 1034. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2012.0393
[61] Grant A M, Parker S, Collins C. Getting credit for proactive behavior: Supervisor reactions depend on what you value and how you feel. Personnel Psychology, 2009, 62 (1): 31 - 55. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2008.01128.x
[62] Dahling J, O’Malley A L, Chau S L. Effects of feedback motives on inquiry and performance. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 2015, 30 (2): 199 - 215. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-12-2012-0409
[63] Van Dyne L, Ellis J. Job creep: A reactance theory perspective on organizational citizenship behavior as over-fulfillment of obligations. The Employment Relationship: Examining Psychological and Contextual Perspectives, 2004: 181 - 205. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780199269136.003.0009
[64] Sun J, Li W D, Li Y, et al. Unintended consequences of being proactive? Linking proactive personality to coworker envy, helping, and undermining, and the moderating role of prosocial motivation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 2021, 106 (2): 250 - 267. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000494
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
