The effect of ambivalent identification on proactive work behaviors: The mediating role of psychological safety

This research examined the concept of ambivalent identification which has been introduced to the literature with the Expanded Model of Organizational Identification developed by Kreiner and Ashforth (2004). Although the topic of organizational ambivalence has recently attracted considerable interest, there is still limited research focusing on ambivalence in organizational identification. In order to fill this gap in the literature, this study sought to examine the effect of ambivalent identification on proactive work behaviors and the mediating role of psychological safety in this relationship. The study hypotheses were tested using data collected from 452 academicians working in Turkey. The results showed that ambivalent identification had a negative influence on both proactive work behaviors and perceived psychological safety. On the other hand, the perception of psychological safety positively affected proactive work behaviors. Finally, it was found that psychological safety mediated the effect of ambivalent identification on proactive work behaviors. Key Words: Ambivalent Identification, Proactive Work Behaviors, Psychological Safety