Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the complex and uncertain environment, employees are expected to proactively take constructive actions to optimize the organizational structure, improve job methods, and enhance work processes. Employees' taking charge behavior as a typical positive extra-role behavior has generated extensive discussion. METHODS: Data on 398 knowledge employees of Chinese companies were collected online through convenience sampling. SPSS 26.0, Amos 26.0 and PROCESS v4.1 software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Based on Proactive Motivation Theory, this study explores the impact mechanism of organizational fault tolerance on employees' taking charge behavior and the moderating effect of growth need. The study findings indicate that flow experience at work plays a mediating role between organizational fault tolerance and employees' taking charge behaviors. Growth need moderates the relationship between organizational fault tolerance and work-related flow. Specifically, when growth need is higher, the positive impact of organizational fault tolerance on work-related flow is stronger. The moderating role of growth needs is significant in the indirect impact of organizational fault tolerance on employees' taking charge behavior through work-related flow. CONCLUSION: Organizational fault tolerance can facilitate employees' taking charge behavior by enhancing their work-related flow. Organizations should encourage employees to keep trying and learn from failure. Especially for individuals with high growth needs, they are more likely to experience work-related flow and demonstrate taking charge behaviors due to organizational fault tolerance.