Dual dimensions of job insecurity and their associations with proactivity and innovation: a multi-group analysis across age and education

Background Drawing on conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study examines the associations of job continuance insecurity (JCI) and job conditions insecurity (JCO) with proactive work behavior (PWB) and employee innovative behavior (EIB), including age and education profiles. Methods Cross-sectional survey data from 665 employees in knowledge-intensive firms in four coastal provinces of China were analyzed with a 24-item structural equation model and exploratory demographic subgroup analyses. Results JCI was negatively associated with PWB ( β = −0.215), whereas JCO was positively associated with PWB ( β = 0.638) and EIB ( β = 0.241). PWB was positively associated with EIB ( β = 0.761); the direct JCI–EIB path was nonsignificant. Subgroup estimates described recurring negative JCI–PWB and positive PWB–EIB associations across several age and education groups. Measurement and structural equality diagnostics are reported alongside these exploratory profiles. Conclusion Employment-continuity threats and job-condition threats showed distinct associations with employee proactivity and innovation, with different relationship patterns observed within age and education groups. These findings inform innovation support that separately addresses employees’ concerns about employment stability and valued working conditions.