Enhancing performance of contract workers in the technology industry: Mediation of proactive commitment and moderation of need for social approval and work experience

•Leaders' support is positively related to proactive commitment.•Sociability is positively related to proactive commitment.•The effect of proactive commitment on job performance is moderated by need for social approval.•This research was examined using the data from contract workers in technology industry.

This study draws upon the theory of proactivity to develop a model that explains how contract workers in the technology industry can be motivated to enhance their job performance. This study focuses on contract workers, because organizing their workforce is very important to the success and development of the industry. Using data collected from contract workers in high-tech firms in Taiwan, the empirical results show that job performance is indirectly influenced by sociability and leaders' support via the full mediation of proactive commitment. At the same time, the relationship between job performance and proactive commitment is positively moderated by the need for social approval. Lastly, managerial implications and research limitations based on the research results are provided.