The Positive Side of Perfectionism: Examining the Role of Perfectionism in Driving Safety Performance and Change-oriented Organizational Citizenship Behaviors

This study examined the positive side of perfectionism and its effect on employees’ safety performance and change-oriented organizational citizenship behavior (OCB-CH). For this purpose, we proposed a moderated mediation model in which feedback-seeking behavior (FSB) was theorized as a mediating mechanism underlining why workers are involved in those discretionary behaviors from their perfectionism. Moreover, each recognition and appraisal form of respect was assumed to be a relevant boundary condition to moderate such relationships. Data were collected using a field survey research design. The participants included 213 workers at construction sites and manufacturing plants, along with military personnel and firefighters, all of which are regarded as high-risk occupations in Korea. SPSS 25, AMOS 22, and PROCESS macro were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that perfectionism impacts both safety performance and OCB-CH directly and through their FSB. Meanwhile, perceived mutual recognition respect negatively moderates the relationship between perfectionism and FSB, whereas perceived appraisal respect has no moderating effect. There may be a trade-off relationship between safety and change. Through offering a perfectionism-FSB link, the results of this study provided an understanding of positive perfectionism as a desirable personality trait that potentially engenders those discretionary behaviors. We further discussed the theoretical and practical implications of the findings and identified directions for future research.