Employee proactivity in organizations: A comparative meta-analysis of emergent proactive constructs

• Published in: Journal of occupational and organizational psychology Vol. 83; no. 2; pp. 275 - 300
• Main Authors: Thomas, Jeffrey P., Whitman, Daniel S., Viswesvaran, Chockalingam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-06-2010; British Psychological Society
• Subjects: Behavioural psychology; Cognitive ability; Correlation analysis; Employees; Five factor model; Individual differences; Job satisfaction; Meta-analysis; Occupational psychology; Occupations; Organizational behaviour; Organizational culture; Personal initiative; Personality traits; Proactivity; Social networks; Social research; Systematic review; Validation studies; Work experience; Working conditions; Working life
• ISSN: 0963-1798; 2044-8325
• DOI: 10.1348/096317910X502359

This meta‐analysis of 103 independent samples provides a comparative evaluation of the relationships associated with four emergent proactive constructs including proactive personality, personal initiative, voice, and taking charge. This study investigates comparative relationships among these focal proactive constructs and key organizational variables (i.e., job performance), personality traits (i.e., the Big Five), and individual variables (i.e., work experience). Results reveal significant correlations between proactivity and performance, satisfaction, affective organizational commitment, and social networking. Results also provide evidence that differentiates focal proactive constructs from the Big Five as well as individual differences in work experience, age, and general mental ability. Current progress towards a more integrative understanding of proactivity research is discussed.