How high-involvement work practices, public service motivation, and employees’ commitment influence employees' proactive work behavior: evidence from China

Utilizing the framework of social exchange theory, this study delves into the mechanisms that explain the connection among high-involvement work practices (HIWPs) and employee proactive work behavior (EPWB). The findings, based on a time-lagged survey of 785 public service employees in China, reveal that employee commitment acts as a mediator in the positive relationship between HIWPs and EPWB. Moreover, public service motivation reinforces both the direct association between HIWPs and employee commitment and the indirect effects of HIWPs on employee proactive work behavior, mediated by employee commitment. The study proceeds to discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings and suggests potential directions for future research.