Taking the risk: how perceived organizational support for innovation and trust in supervisor encourage taking charge

This research examines the role that relational context plays in enhancing (or not) employees’ willingness to engage in Taking Charge Behavior (TCB). Bringing together Social Exchange (SET) and Conservation of Resources (COR) theories, this study proposes and tests a moderated mediation model that investigates the effects of perceived organizational support for innovation (POSI) on TCB among 700 employees across various sectors in Chile. Results reveal that organizational support for innovation directly enhances TCB, with affective organizational commitment (ACO) acting as a mediating factor. Additionally, relationship-based trust in supervisors (RTS) significantly moderates this effect, strengthening it under high RTS conditions. This research not only highlights the critical roles of organizational support and trust in promoting employee proactivity but also combines theoretical insights from COR and SET to provide a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms driving TCB. These results offer practical guidance for managers to foster a proactive workforce.