ABSTRACT

Problem-solving demands have been shown to exert both positive and negative effects on employees. We examined whether these inconsistencies could be explained by the way people appraise (interpret) their problem-solving demands, either as a challenge or a threat. We proposed a cross-level moderated mediation model whereby the effects of problem-solving demands on a range of proactive behaviours (i.e. proactive innovation, problem prevention, voice, and proactive undermining) would be mediated by stress appraisals and moderated by psychological safety climate. Surveys were administered twice daily for 5 consecutive workdays to 248 employees from a variety of industries. Multilevel analyses showed that appraisals of challenge mediated the relationship between problem-solving demands and favourable forms of proactivity, whereas appraisals of threat mediated the relationship with unfavourable forms of proactivity. Depending on the type of proactive behaviour, these effects manifested at either the within- or between-person level. Finally, we observed a cross-level moderated mediation effect in which psychological safety climate strengthened the positive effects of within-person problem-solving demands on challenge appraisal, which in turn promoted proactive innovation. These results emphasise the explanatory power of stress appraisals and climate in shaping a range of proactive behaviours.

摘要

解决问题的需求已经显示出对员工的积极和消极影响。我们研究了人们是否可以通过评估（解释）他们解决问题的需求（挑战或威胁）的方式来解释这些不一致之处。我们提出了一个跨级别的调解模型，该模型通过压力评估来介导解决问题的需求对一系列积极行为（即，积极创新，问题预防，发言权和积极破坏行为）的影响，并通过心理安全气氛来调节这种影响。连续5个工作日每天两次对来自各行各业的248名员工进行调查。多层次分析表明，对挑战的评估介导了解决问题的需求与积极主动的态度之间的关系，而对威胁的评估则以不利的主动形式介导了这种关系。根据主动行为的类型，这些影响体现在人际或人际层面。最后，我们观察到了跨层次的调解作用，其中心理安全气氛增强了人际解决问题需求对挑战评估的积极作用，从而促进了主动创新。这些结果强调了压力评估和气候在形成一系列积极行为方面的解释能力。我们观察到了跨层次的调解作用，其中心理安全气氛增强了人际解决问题需求对挑战评估的积极影响，从而促进了主动创新。这些结果强调了压力评估和气候在形成一系列积极行为方面的解释能力。我们观察到了跨层次的调解作用，其中心理安全气氛增强了人际解决问题需求对挑战评估的积极影响，从而促进了主动创新。这些结果强调了压力评估和气候在形成一系列积极行为方面的解释能力。