POS and proactive behaviour in knowledge workers dataset

Fostering proactive behaviour among knowledge workers is crucial for organizational success in today’s dynamic environment. Although perceived organizational support (POS) is key to enhancing employee proactivity, the psychological pathways and boundary conditions underlying this relationship remain unclear. This study, grounded in social exchange theory, explores optimism as a mediator and ambition as a moderator in the POS-proactive behaviour link. A total of 521 knowledge workers participated, selected through latent profile analysis from a sample of 606 valid respondents (59.1% female, 71.4% with bachelor’s degrees, and mean age 26-34 years). Participants completed validated scales measuring POS, optimism, ambition, and proactive behaviour. Data were analysed using hierarchical regression and moderated network analysis. Results showed optimism mediated the POS-proactive behaviour relationship (indirect effect = .29, 95% CI [.15, .44]), while ambition negatively moderated this link (interaction <i>β</i> = -.08, <i>p</i> = .001) and the indirect effect of POS on proactive behaviour. The findings highlighted the need for organizations to tailor support strategies based on employees’ ambition levels to effectively promote proactive behaviour.