时间压力作用下知识存量对即兴行为的影响机制

Improvisation, defined as creative and spontaneous management of unforeseen situations is thought to be creativity under time pressure. It embodies two key elements: spontaneity and creativity. Prior research has largely focused on the creative aspects of improvisation, emphasizing the effects of various individual and organizational factors. However, this exclusive focus limits a comprehensive and precise understanding of the fundamental nature of improvisation. To construct a robust theoretical model that elucidates the generative mechanism of improvisation, both aspects must be considered. Accordingly, this study examines the essential characteristics of improvisation to reveal its underlying mechanisms. Drawing on the knowledge linking theory and activation theory, we hypothesized that knowledge stock has a positive impact on individual improvisation via knowledge transformation. Furthermore, we expected that the relationship between knowledge stock and knowledge transformation will be stronger under medium time pressure, ultimately promoting individual improvisation.By taking a multimethod approach, we validated our hypotheses across two experiments (Studies 1,2) and a field survey (Study 3). Prior to conducting formal experiments, time limits for high and medium time pressure groups were established through a preliminary experiment. In Study 1, we conducted a 2 (knowledge stock: high vs. low) 3 (time pressure: high vs. medium vs. low) between-subjects design and recruited 163 students. The aim of this experiment was to examine the main effects of knowledge stock on knowledge transformation and improvisation, along with the moderating effect of time pressure. In Study 2, we employed a job-related organizational scenario to evaluate the entire model, involving 163 full-time employees. In Study 3, we collected dyadic data from 201 leaderemployee pairs at two time points. At Time 1, employees reported knowledge stock, perceived time pressure, and demographic information. At Time 2, employees reported knowledge transformation, while leaders reported the improvisation behavior of employees.We applied analysis of variance, confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, and Monte Carlo method to analyze the data. The results were as follows: Firstly, knowledge stock was positively related to both knowledge transformation and improvisation. Secondly, knowledge transformation played a mediating role in the relationship between knowledge stock and improvisation. Additionally, time pressure moderated both the direct effects between knowledge stock and knowledge transformation, as well as the indirect effects of knowledge stock on improvisation through knowledge transformation. Specifically, when time pressure is medium, the positive effect of knowledge stock on improvisation is stronger via knowledge transformation, while such relationship weakened when time pressure is high or low. It is interesting to note that time pressure demonstrated an inverted U-shaped moderating effect. Essentially, under conditions of medium time pressure, knowledge stock exhibited a more pronounced and positive impact on knowledge transformation, consequently enhancing improvisation.This study has the following theoretical contributions. First, it thoroughly examines the mechanism of improvisation, integrating both spontaneity and creativity, thus expanding the theoretical foundations of the field. By grounding the analysis in fundamental concepts and their core characteristics, this approach offers a valuable reference for future research. Second, we provide novel insights into the inverted U-shaped moderating effect of time pressure on the generation mechanism of individual improvisation, thus enriching and advancing research in the field. Third, this study evaluates the effectiveness of knowledge stock from a knowledge management perspective and elucidates the mechanisms through which it influences individual improvisation, addressing its substantive characteristics. Overall, our detailed examination of the complexity and underlying dynamics of improvisation contributes to a profound understanding of this phenomenon and its implications.