The development and validation of the Individual Knowledge Worker Proactivity Scale – an example from the Business Services Sector

Purpose Proactivity is a multidimensional construct, influenced by many variables. The purpose of this paper is to develop a standardised, psychometrically robust tool for the emerging construct of knowledge worker proactivity. Design/methodology/approach Using a systematic framework to design a survey questionnaire as a reference point (i.e. creating items, item reduction and scale evaluation), this article discusses the development and validation of an instrument that can be used to measure individual knowledge worker proactivity. Analysis was based on data from the random (calibration) sample of 500 non-managers and 500 managers employed in the Business Services Sector (BSS) (piloting sample: 256 employees, validating sample: 155 employees and managers). Statistical analysis was conducted using especially confirmatory and exploratory analysis, reliability and validity measures, structural modelling. Findings The analysis confirms that the three-dimensional proactivity model can be successfully applied to BSS. All important fit indices of the confirmatory factor analysis model showed a good fit, and the model proposed for knowledge worker proactivity has appropriate validity. Research limitations/implications The results suggest that the proposed Individual Knowledge Worker Proactivity (IKWP) Scale is internally reliable and valid in the sense that it is conceptually and empirically correlated with proactive work behaviours, proactive strategic behaviours and proactive person–environment fit behaviour constructs. Originality/value A comprehensive and BSS-specific scale has been created to assess the proactive behaviour of knowledge workers and their managers. This opens the way for the instrument to be used in practice, e.g. by talent or employee teams to work more effectively on new innovative solutions or by top management as a support for key decisions within the organisation.