Proactive personality and innovative behavior: The mediating roles of job-related affect and work engagement

Abstract

We examined the potential effects of job-related affect and work engagement as mediators in the relationship between proactive personality and innovative behavior. The Proactive Personality Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Work Engagement Scale, and Innovative Behavior Scale were completed by 320 primary- and middle-school teachers in western China. Results showed that proactive personality was significantly and positively related to the teachers' innovative behavior. The effect of proactive personality on innovative behavior was partly mediated by both positive affect and work engagement in simple mediator roles, and by the sequential mediating effects of positive affect and work engagement. Possible explanations are discussed in light of previous findings. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.