The impact of proactive personality and psychological capital on innovative work behavior: evidence from software houses of Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the contemporary research study is to develop and empirically investigate antecedents of innovative work behavior (IWB) in organizations by applying the broaden-and-build theory, associating both personal and contextual factors in encouraging employees' IWB.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model has been developed, examining the influence of proactive personality and psychological capital (PsyCap) on innovative performance. Data were collected through an in-person administered questionnaire-based survey from the employees working in the software houses of Pakistan.

Findings

The analysis revealed that proactive personality and PsyCap have a significant impact on employee innovative performance, given that proactive personality and PsyCap are the critical antecedents of IWB.

Originality/value

This contemporary research study is original and will impart constructive contribution for a substantial number of reasons. First, this research study provides suggestions on proactive personality, which relate remarkably to innovative work behavior. Second, this research study observes the relationship between several organizational aspects and employees' creativity for the evaluation and advancement in the results of prior classic research studies conducted in the given field. This research study integrates both personal and organizational dynamics to evaluate the innovative and creative ability not only in the perspective of multinational, but also in the national corporations.

Citation

Ullah, I., Hameed, R.M. and Mahmood, A. (2024), "The impact of proactive personality and psychological capital on innovative work behavior: evidence from software houses of Pakistan", European Journal of Innovation Management, Vol. 27 No. 6, pp. 1967-1985. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-01-2022-0022