How Core Self-Evaluation Shapes Proactive Work Behavior in Chinese Older Adults: The Role of Occupational Future Time Perspective

Proactive work behavior is regarded as a key element in developing human capital among older employees. However, existing studies have insufficiently explored the mechanisms and boundary conditions through which core self-evaluation affects the PWB of this group. To fill this void, we gathered 362 questionnaires from older employees in Chinese enterprises via a two-stage survey method. Based on the lifespan theory of control, we conducted a two-stage time-lagged questionnaire survey in a manufacturing enterprise located in North China. The analysis results of 326 valid questionnaires show that the core self-evaluation of older employees has a positive impact on work proactivity, while occupational future time perspective plays a mediating role in this process, and age-inclusive human resource practices moderate this mediating effect. These findings suggest that organizations can promote proactive actions among older employees by taking their core self-evaluation into account and implementing inclusive policies, which in turn optimizes the performance of the older workforce and refines human resource management approaches.