Title: Unleashing Potential: Nurturing Proactivity in the Workplace
Speaker: Chia-Huei Wu, King’s College London
When: 19:00- 20:15, Nov.22, 2023 (Beijing Time, UTC+8) 
Language: English
Where: Zoom
Register link: https://www.xcdsystem.com/iacmr/forms/index.cfm?ID=ntRVbA2

Abstract

Proactivity at work involves self-initiated actions aimed at making changes to improve the situation or oneself. In this presentation, Professor Wu will share findings from his research program on proactivity in three topics. First, whether and how can organizations promote and build a proactive workforce? Rather than relying solely on employees who possess proactive dispositional tendencies, there are different approaches that organizations can take to develop a proactive workforce. The presentation will elaborate on the function of leadership and work design in motivating employee proactivity. Second, whether and how unfavorable situations can create a necessity for employee proactivity? The presentation will cover studies showing how challenging tasks, threatening political environments, and unfavorable social environments can spur employee proactivity to overcome those obstacles. Third, what are the consequences of proactivity? Scholars have only recently begun examining the consequences of proactivity compared to its antecedents. The presentation will share findings on the impact of employee proactivity on individuals and supervisors. Finally, the presentation will conclude by outlining future research directions.

Bio

Dr. Chia-Huei Wu is Professor in Management at King’s Business School, King’s College London. His research topics include employee proactivity, work and personality development, work design, job change and well-being, and overqualification. He has published over 100 journal articles and book chapters. His work has appeared in leading journals, including the Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, and Journal of Management, among others. He is the author of the book, Employee proactivity in organizations, a co-author of the book, Work and Personality Change, and the co-editor of the book, Emotion and Proactivity at Work. He served as an associate editor for the Journal of Management from 2020 to 2023. He previously worked at London School of Economics, Durham University, and University of Leeds.