ISSN 0439-755X
CN 11-1911/B
主办:中国心理学会
   中国科学院心理研究所
出版:科学出版社

心理学报 ›› 2025, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (10): 1791-1812.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.1791 cstr: 32110.14.2025.1791

• 研究报告 • 上一篇    下一篇

时间压力作用下知识存量对即兴行为的影响机制

王永跃, 张范颖, 岳峰凯, 谢江佩()   

  1. 浙江工商大学工商管理学院, 杭州 310018
  • 收稿日期:2023-11-14 发布日期:2025-08-15 出版日期:2025-10-25
  • 通讯作者: 谢江佩, E-mail: xiejiangpei@126.com
  • 基金资助:
    国家社会科学基金重点项目(23AGL022)

Influence of knowledge stock on improvisation under time pressure

WANG Yongyue, ZHANG Fanying, YUE Fengkai, XIE Jiangpei()   

  1. School of Business Administration, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
  • Received:2023-11-14 Online:2025-08-15 Published:2025-10-25

摘要:

即兴行为是一种兼具即时性和创造性的行为模式。然而, 目前结合其本质内涵以详述即兴行为生成机制的研究尚显不足。为此, 本研究整合知识联结理论与激活理论, 分别契合即兴行为的创造性与即时性特征, 探讨了时间压力下知识存量对个体即兴行为的影响机制。研究1 (N = 163)和研究2 (N = 163)分别以大学生及组织员工为被试, 通过实验发现知识存量通过增强知识转化进而促进个体即兴行为; 尤其在中时间压力情境下, 上述关系更为强烈; 研究3 (N = 201)开展多时点配对问卷调查, 进一步确证了时间压力在知识存量对知识转化的影响过程中发挥倒U型调节效应, 进而通过知识转化作用于即兴行为。通过 3个研究得出结论:在中等时间压力下, 知识存量通过影响知识转化从而更有利于激发个体即兴行为; 而在高或低时间压力下则更弱, 以此全面揭示时间压力作用下知识存量赋能即兴行为的生成过程机制, 这为有效依据其特征进行理论整合提供了新视角, 并对理解即兴行为的动态性和复杂性具有积极的意义。

关键词: 即兴行为, 知识存量, 知识转化, 时间压力

Abstract:

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 leader−employee 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.

Key words: improvisation, knowledge stock, knowledge transformation, time pressure

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