Human as a Change Agent in Proactive Behavior at Work: A 70-Year Review

Abstract

Proactive employees have become the core focus as the main mechanism through which to achieve an organizational goal centered on profit-makingand productivity. From a classical behaviorist perspective, individual differences are the predominant factor in maintaining proactive behavior. However, individual differences vary, ranging from individual personality to motivational determinant. Although a proactive personality is believed to have led to proactive behavior, contemporary studies have found otherwise. Indeed, studies have discovered that proactive behavior is supported mainly by the motivational mechanism. Individuals will engage in proactive behavior only if they have the confidence to do so and understand the reasons behind such conduct. These findings are consistent with Bandura’s research on behavior that emphasizes the importance of human internalization in behavior engagement