The effect of employee goal orientation on change-supportive behavior: a moderated mediation approach

Purpose Based on goal orientation theory, this study aims to examine how and when employees' performance goal orientations (PGOs) affect their change-supportive behavior in entrepreneurial firms undergoing change. Design/methodology/approach A two-wave time-lagged research design was applied to collect data from companies undergoing change in China. Findings The results showed that employees' performance-proving goal orientation (PPGO) was positively related to change-supportive behavior, and employees' performance-avoiding goal orientation (PAGO) was negatively related to change-supportive behavior. Openness to change played a mediating role in these mechanisms, and employees' learning goal orientation (LGO) played a moderating role. Originality/value By solving the mechanism of the relationship between PGOs and change-supportive behavior that has not been explored before, this study answers the question of how and when different PGOs affect support behavior.