How to promote proactive innovative behavior of researchers? Based on the self-determination theory and construct theory of positive emotions perspectives

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how calling orientation, through intrinsic motivation and positive emotions, promotes researchers’ proactive innovative behavior in China’s high power distance context, and to test the moderating roles of innovation strategy orientation and organizational support. Design/methodology/approach This study introduces the concept of proactive innovation behavior, which can reflect researchers’ true innovation willingness; aims to explore how to stimulate the proactive innovative behavior of researchers through the factors of calling orientation, intrinsic motivation and positive emotion; and analyzes the moderating role of innovation strategy orientation and organizational support. Findings This study constructed a structural equation model by using data from 436 questionnaires completed by researchers in universities, companies and research institutes. The results demonstrate that under the moderating influence of innovation strategy orientation, calling orientation can stimulate the proactive innovative behavior among researchers through intrinsic motivation and positive emotions. Originality/value This study provides some insights into methods that could effectively enhance researchers’ innovation outcomes and reduce innovation pressure through the stimulation of researchers’ proactive innovative behaviors by considering their calling orientation, intrinsic motivation and positive emotion factors. Additionally, governments and organizations can adopt more specialized incentives.