Is more proactive more innovative? The nonlinear mechanism of proactive personality on innovative behavior

The positive linear effect of proactive personality on both organizational and individual outcomes in the workplace has been widely demonstrated. However, with increasing research, the perception that being more proactive is better has aroused new concerns, such as interpersonal conflict and personal resource exhaustion. Drawing on the job demands-resources model, this study aims to examine the curvilinear effect of the proactive personality on innovative behavior through thriving at work under time pressure. A questionnaire survey was conducted at three time points with 548 frontline employees in a research and development department in western China. The findings indicated that there is an inverted U-shaped curvilinear link between proactive personality and innovative behavior as well as thriving at work, with the latter serving as a mediator in this association. Time pressure moderates the link between proactive personality and thriving at work, such that the inverted U-shaped link is strengthened under high time pressure, whereas the curve is elevated and U-shaped under low time pressure. These findings advance our deeper theoretical understanding of the "too much of a good thing" effect of proactive personality on individuals' workplace outcomes, as well as assist practitioners to better manage the advantages and disadvantages of proactive individuals, and create a thriving and innovative workforce.