A LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VOCATIONAL CALLING AND KNOWLEDGE WORKERS INNOVATIVE BEHAVIOR

In the knowledge economy era, the core of corporate competition has shifted to a contest of innovation capabilities. Knowledge workers, as key agents of innovation, exhibit innovation behaviors influenced by multiple internal and external factors. In recent years, the driving mechanisms of knowledge workers innovation behaviors through professional calling and professional identity important intrinsic psychological variables have emerged as a frontier research topic in organizational behavior studies. This study systematically reviews domestic and international research from 1990 to 2024 based on Vocation Theory, Self-Determination Theory, and Social Identity Theory. It provides an in-depth analysis of the conceptual frameworks, dimensional structures, and measurement tool development trajectories of these three core variables. Findings reveal that: - Vocational calling significantly enhances knowledge workers' innovation behavior by imparting deep meaning and prosocial motivation to work; - Professional identity provides sustained momentum for innovation by strengthening role commitment and internalizing professional norms; - A theoretical pathway exists between the two: vocational calling ? professional identity ? innovation behavior, which is moderated by contextual factors such as organizational support and leadership style. Existing research exhibits limitations in theoretical integration, research perspective diversity, group coverage breadth, and depth of mechanism exploration. Future studies should construct an integrated theoretical framework, enhance dynamic tracking and cross-cultural comparisons, and expand focus on knowledge workers in emerging industries to deepen theoretical understanding and provide more actionable guidance for corporate innovation management practices.