Interactive Effects of Work Autonomy and Proactive Personality on Innovative Behavior

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of three facets of work autonomy (i.e., method, schedule, and criteria) on employees’ innovative behaviors. In addition, it examines the effects of each facet of work autonomy on innovative behavior in line with the self-determination theory. Furthermore, based on the trait activation theory, this study explores the interacting influences of the different facets of work autonomy with proactive personality on innovative behavior. Data were collected from the sample of 502 employees and 102 supervisors working for a forging factory in Japan. The results confirm the validity of work autonomy scales. It also finds that innovative behavior is independently affected by work method autonomy and work schedule autonomy as well as work criteria autonomy interacting with proactive personality. These findings are discussed in terms of promoting employees’ engagement in innovative behavior.