Does Perceived Organizational Virtuousness Explain Organizational Citizenship Behaviors?
The paper shows how the perceptions of five organizational virtuousness dimensions (optimism, trust, compassion, integrity, and forgiveness) explain organizational citizenship behaviors (altruism, sportsmanship, courtesy, conscientiousness, and civic virtue). A sample comprising 216 individuals from 14 industrial organizations was collected. Individuals reported their perceptions of organizational virtuousness, their organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) being reported by their supervisors. The main findings are the following: (a) the perceptions of trust predict altruism; (b) the perceptions of integrity predict civic virtue.
[1] C. Peterson and M. P. Seligman, "Positive organizational studies:
Thirteen lessons from positive psychology" in K. S. Cameron, J. E.
Dutton, & R.E. Quinn (Eds.), Positive organizational scholarship (pp.
14-29), San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler, 2003.
[2] K. S. Cameron, "Organizational virtuousness and performance" in K.S.
Cameron, J. E. Dutton & R. E. Quinn (eds). Positive Organizational
Scholarship. (pp. 48-65). San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler, 2003.
[3] R. A. Emmons, "Acts of gratitude in organizations" in K.S. Cameron, J.
E. Dutton & R. E. Quinn (eds), Positive Organizational Scholarship
(pp. 81-93), San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler, 2003.
[4] D. O. Clifton and J. K. Harter, "Investing in strengths" in K.S. Cameron,
J. E. Dutton & R. E. Quinn (eds), Positive Organizational Scholarship
(pp. 111-122), San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler, 2003.
[5] R. P. Bagozzi, "Positive and negative emotions in organizations" in K.S.
Cameron, J. E. Dutton & R. E. Quinn (eds), Positive Organizational
Scholarship (pp. 176-193), San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler, 2003.
[6] M. Bolino, W. Turnley and J. Bloodgood, "Citizenship behavior and the
creation of social capital in organizations", Academy of Management
Review, 27(4), pp. 505-522, 2002.
[7] P. M. Podsakoff, P.M. and S. B. MacKenzie, "Impact of organizational
citizenship behavior on organizational performance: A review and
suggestions for future research". Human Performance, 10(2), pp. 133-
151, 1997.
[8] A. Rego and M. P. Cunha, "Organisational citizenship behaviours and
effectiveness: An empirical study in two small insurance companies",
Service Industries Journal, 28(4), pp. 541-554, 2008.
[9] K. S. Cameron, D. Bright and A. Caza, "Exploring the relationships
between organizational virtuousness and performance", The American
Behavioral Scientist, 47(6), pp. 766-790, 2004.
[10] E. K. Kelloway and A. L. Day, "Building healthy workplaces: What we
know so far" Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 37(4), pp. 223-
235, 2005.
[11] J. C. Quick and M. Macik-Frey, "Healthy, Productive Work: Positive
Strength through Communication Competence and Interpersonal
Interdependence" in D. L. Nelson & C. L. Cooper (eds), Positive
Organizational Behavior, (pp. 25-39), London, Sage, 2007.
[12] M. J. Burke, C. C. Borucki and J. D. Kaufman, "Contemporary
perspectives on the study of psychological climate: A commentary",
European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 11(3), pp.
325-340, 2002.
[13] C. P. Parker, B. B. Baltes, S. A. Young, J. Huff, R. Altmann, H. LaCost
and J. E. Roberts, "Relationships between psychological climate
perceptions and work outcomes: A meta-analytic review", Journal of
Organizational Behavior, 24, 2003, pp. 389-416.
[14] D. W. Organ, Organizational citizenship behavior: The good soldier
syndrome, Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, p. 3, 1988.
[15] M. A. Konovsky and D. W. Organ, "Dispositional and contextual
determinants of organizational citizenship behaviors", Journal of
Organizational Behavior, 17, pp. 253-266, 1996.
[16] P. M. Podsakoff and S. B. MacKenzie, "Transformational leader
behaviors and their affects on followers- trust in leader, satisfaction, and
organizational citizenship behaviors", Leadership Quarterly, 1(2),
pp.107-142, 1990.
[17] H. B. Avey, T. S. Wernsing and F. Luthans, "Can positive employees
help positive organizational change? Impact of psychological capital
and emotions on relevant attitudes and behaviors", Journal of Applied
Behavioral Science, 44(1), pp. 48-70, 2008.
[18] J. K. Boehm and S. Lyubomirsky, "Does happiness promote career
success?", Journal of Career Assessment, 16(19), pp. 101-116, 2008.
[19] J. P. Forgas, "Feeling and doing: Affective influences on interpersonal
behavior", Psychological Inquiry, 13, pp. 1-28, 2002.
[20] J. M. George, "State or trait: Effects of positive mood on prosocial
behaviors at work", Journal of Applied Psychology, 76, pp. 299-307,
1991.
[21] A. M. Isen, "Positive affect, cognitive processes and social behaviour",
Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 47, pp. 1206-1217, 1987.
[22] D. E. Miles, W. E. Borman, P. E. Spector and S. Fox, "Building an
integrative model of extra role work behaviors: A comparison of
counterproductive work behavior with organizational citizenship
behavior", International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 10, pp.
51-57, 2002.
[23] P. E. Spector and S. Fox, "An emotion-centered model of voluntary
work behavior: Some parallels between counterproductive behavior and
organizational citizenship behaviour", Human Resource Management
Review, 12, pp. 269-292, 2002.
[24] M. Bergami and R. P. Bagozzi, "Self-categorization, affective
commitment, and group self-esteem as distinct aspects of social identity
in the organization". British Journal of Social Psychology, 39, pp. 555-
577, 2000.
[25] K. T. Dirks and D. L. Ferrin, "Trust in leadership: Meta-analytic
findings and implications for research and practice", Journal of Applied
Psychology, 87(4), pp. 611-628, 2002.
[26] J. E. Dutton, J. M. Duberich, and C. V. Harquail, "Organizational
images and member identification", Administrative Science Quarterly,
39, pp. 239-263, 1994.
[27] J. M. Lilius, M. C. Worline, S. Maitlis, J. Kanov, J. E. Dutton and P.
Frost, "The contours and consequences of compassion at work", Journal
of Organizational Behavior, 29, pp. 193-218, 2008.
[28] M. F. R. Kets de Vries, "Creating authentizotic organizations: Wellfunctioning
individuals in vibrant companies", Human Relations, 54(1),
pp. 101-111, 2001.
[29] J. H. Gavin and R. O. Mason, "The virtuous organization: The value of
happiness in the workplace", Organizational Dynamics, 33(4), pp. 379-
392, 2004.
[30] P. M. Podsakoff, S. B. MacKenzie, J. B. Paine and D. G. Bachrach,
"Organizational citizenship behaviors: A critical review of the
theoretical and empirical literature and suggestions for future research",
Journal of Management, 26(3), pp. 513-563, 2000.
[31] T. A. Wright and R. Cropanzano, "The role of psychological well-being
in job performance: A fresh look at an age-old quest", Organizational
Dynamics, 33(4), pp. 338-351, 2004.
[32] J. M. George and A. P. Brief, "Feeling good-doing good: A conceptual
analysis of the mood at work-organizational spontaneity relationship",
Psychological Bulletin, 112(2), pp. 310-329, 1992.
[33] J. Coyle-Shapiro, "A psychological perspective on organizational
citizenship behavior", Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23(8), pp.
927-946, 2002.
[34] R. Eisenberger, S. Armeli, B. Rexwinkel, P. D. Lynch and L. Rhoades,
"Reciprocation of perceived organizational support. Journal of Applied
Psychology, 86(1), pp. 42-51, 2001.
[35] B. M. Byrne, Structural equation modelling with Lisrel, Prelis, and
Simplis, London, Lawrence Erlbaum, 1998.
[36] J. F. Hair, R. E. Anderson, R. L. Tatham and W. C. Black, Multivariate
data analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1998.
[37] J. C. Nunnally, Psychometric theory (2nd ed.). New York, McGraw-Hill,
1978.
[38] C. A. Smith, D. W. Organ and J. P. Near, "Organizational citizenship
behavior: Its nature and antecedents", Journal of Applied Psychology,
68(4), pp. 653-663, 1983.
[39] P. M. Podsakoff, S. B. MacKenzie, R. H. Moorman and R. Fetter,
"Transformational leader behaviors and their effects on followers' trust
in leader, satisfaction, and organizational citizenship behaviors",
Leadership Quarterly, 1(2), pp. 107-142, 1990.
[40] S. B. MacKenzie, P. M. Podsakoff and R. Fetter, "Organizational
citizenship behavior and objective productivity as determinants of
managerial on evaluations of salespersons' performance",
Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, pp. 123-
150, 1991.
[41] S. M. Burroughs and L. T. Eby, "Psychological sense of community at
work: A measurement system and explanatory framework", Journal of
Community Psychology, 26(6), pp. 509-532, 1998.
[42] L. van Dyne, D. Vandewalle, T. Kostova, M. E. Latham and L. L.
Cummings, "Collectivism, Propensity to Trust and Self-Esteem as
Predictors of Organizational Citizenship in a Non-Work Setting",
Journal of Organizational Behavior, 21(1), pp. 3-23, 2000.
[43] B. R. Dineen, R. J. Lewicki and C. E. Tomlinson, "Supervisory
guidance and behavioral integrity: Relationships with employee
citizenship and deviant behavior". Journal of Applied Psychology, 91,
pp. 622-635, 2006.
[44] T. Simons, "Behavioral integrity: The perceived alignment between
managers- words and deeds as a research focus", Organization Science,
13, pp. 18-85, 2002.
[45] S. W. Lester, H. H. Brower, "In the eyes of the beholder: The
relationship between subordinates- felt trustworthiness and their work
attitudes and behaviors", Journal of Leadership & Organizational
Studies, 10(2), pp. 17-34, 2003.
[46] M. A. Konovsky and S. D. Pugh, "Citizenship behavior and social
exchange". Academy of Journal Management, 37, pp. 656-669, 1994.
[47] S. Robinson, "Trust and the breach of the psychological contract",
Administrative Science Quarterly, 41, pp. 574-599, 1996.
[48] C. D. Batson, "Why act for the public good? Four answers", Personality
and Social Psychology Bulletin, 20, pp. 603-610, 1994.
[49] J. A. Piliavin and H. Charng, "Altruism: A review of recent theory and
research". Annual Review of Sociology, 16, pp. 27-65, 1990.
[50] M. Glynn and H. Jamerson, "Principled leadership: A framework for
action". In E. D. Hess & K. S. Cameron (Eds.), Leading values:
Positivity, virtue, and high performance (pp. 151-171), Cambridge,
Cambridge University Press, 2006.
[51] Aristotle, The Nicomachean ethics, Batoche Books (translated by W. D.
Ross), 1999.
[52] B. L. Fredrickson, "Positive emotions and upward spirals in
organizational settings" in K.S. Cameron, J. E. Dutton & R. E. Quinn
(eds). Positive Organizational Scholarship. (pp. 163-175), San
Francisco, Berrett Koehler, 2003.
[53] K. Schuyler, "The possibility of healthy organizations: Toward a new
framework for organizational theory and practice", Journal of Applied
Sociology, 21(2), pp. 57-59, 2004.
[1] C. Peterson and M. P. Seligman, "Positive organizational studies:
Thirteen lessons from positive psychology" in K. S. Cameron, J. E.
Dutton, & R.E. Quinn (Eds.), Positive organizational scholarship (pp.
14-29), San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler, 2003.
[2] K. S. Cameron, "Organizational virtuousness and performance" in K.S.
Cameron, J. E. Dutton & R. E. Quinn (eds). Positive Organizational
Scholarship. (pp. 48-65). San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler, 2003.
[3] R. A. Emmons, "Acts of gratitude in organizations" in K.S. Cameron, J.
E. Dutton & R. E. Quinn (eds), Positive Organizational Scholarship
(pp. 81-93), San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler, 2003.
[4] D. O. Clifton and J. K. Harter, "Investing in strengths" in K.S. Cameron,
J. E. Dutton & R. E. Quinn (eds), Positive Organizational Scholarship
(pp. 111-122), San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler, 2003.
[5] R. P. Bagozzi, "Positive and negative emotions in organizations" in K.S.
Cameron, J. E. Dutton & R. E. Quinn (eds), Positive Organizational
Scholarship (pp. 176-193), San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler, 2003.
[6] M. Bolino, W. Turnley and J. Bloodgood, "Citizenship behavior and the
creation of social capital in organizations", Academy of Management
Review, 27(4), pp. 505-522, 2002.
[7] P. M. Podsakoff, P.M. and S. B. MacKenzie, "Impact of organizational
citizenship behavior on organizational performance: A review and
suggestions for future research". Human Performance, 10(2), pp. 133-
151, 1997.
[8] A. Rego and M. P. Cunha, "Organisational citizenship behaviours and
effectiveness: An empirical study in two small insurance companies",
Service Industries Journal, 28(4), pp. 541-554, 2008.
[9] K. S. Cameron, D. Bright and A. Caza, "Exploring the relationships
between organizational virtuousness and performance", The American
Behavioral Scientist, 47(6), pp. 766-790, 2004.
[10] E. K. Kelloway and A. L. Day, "Building healthy workplaces: What we
know so far" Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 37(4), pp. 223-
235, 2005.
[11] J. C. Quick and M. Macik-Frey, "Healthy, Productive Work: Positive
Strength through Communication Competence and Interpersonal
Interdependence" in D. L. Nelson & C. L. Cooper (eds), Positive
Organizational Behavior, (pp. 25-39), London, Sage, 2007.
[12] M. J. Burke, C. C. Borucki and J. D. Kaufman, "Contemporary
perspectives on the study of psychological climate: A commentary",
European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 11(3), pp.
325-340, 2002.
[13] C. P. Parker, B. B. Baltes, S. A. Young, J. Huff, R. Altmann, H. LaCost
and J. E. Roberts, "Relationships between psychological climate
perceptions and work outcomes: A meta-analytic review", Journal of
Organizational Behavior, 24, 2003, pp. 389-416.
[14] D. W. Organ, Organizational citizenship behavior: The good soldier
syndrome, Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, p. 3, 1988.
[15] M. A. Konovsky and D. W. Organ, "Dispositional and contextual
determinants of organizational citizenship behaviors", Journal of
Organizational Behavior, 17, pp. 253-266, 1996.
[16] P. M. Podsakoff and S. B. MacKenzie, "Transformational leader
behaviors and their affects on followers- trust in leader, satisfaction, and
organizational citizenship behaviors", Leadership Quarterly, 1(2),
pp.107-142, 1990.
[17] H. B. Avey, T. S. Wernsing and F. Luthans, "Can positive employees
help positive organizational change? Impact of psychological capital
and emotions on relevant attitudes and behaviors", Journal of Applied
Behavioral Science, 44(1), pp. 48-70, 2008.
[18] J. K. Boehm and S. Lyubomirsky, "Does happiness promote career
success?", Journal of Career Assessment, 16(19), pp. 101-116, 2008.
[19] J. P. Forgas, "Feeling and doing: Affective influences on interpersonal
behavior", Psychological Inquiry, 13, pp. 1-28, 2002.
[20] J. M. George, "State or trait: Effects of positive mood on prosocial
behaviors at work", Journal of Applied Psychology, 76, pp. 299-307,
1991.
[21] A. M. Isen, "Positive affect, cognitive processes and social behaviour",
Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 47, pp. 1206-1217, 1987.
[22] D. E. Miles, W. E. Borman, P. E. Spector and S. Fox, "Building an
integrative model of extra role work behaviors: A comparison of
counterproductive work behavior with organizational citizenship
behavior", International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 10, pp.
51-57, 2002.
[23] P. E. Spector and S. Fox, "An emotion-centered model of voluntary
work behavior: Some parallels between counterproductive behavior and
organizational citizenship behaviour", Human Resource Management
Review, 12, pp. 269-292, 2002.
[24] M. Bergami and R. P. Bagozzi, "Self-categorization, affective
commitment, and group self-esteem as distinct aspects of social identity
in the organization". British Journal of Social Psychology, 39, pp. 555-
577, 2000.
[25] K. T. Dirks and D. L. Ferrin, "Trust in leadership: Meta-analytic
findings and implications for research and practice", Journal of Applied
Psychology, 87(4), pp. 611-628, 2002.
[26] J. E. Dutton, J. M. Duberich, and C. V. Harquail, "Organizational
images and member identification", Administrative Science Quarterly,
39, pp. 239-263, 1994.
[27] J. M. Lilius, M. C. Worline, S. Maitlis, J. Kanov, J. E. Dutton and P.
Frost, "The contours and consequences of compassion at work", Journal
of Organizational Behavior, 29, pp. 193-218, 2008.
[28] M. F. R. Kets de Vries, "Creating authentizotic organizations: Wellfunctioning
individuals in vibrant companies", Human Relations, 54(1),
pp. 101-111, 2001.
[29] J. H. Gavin and R. O. Mason, "The virtuous organization: The value of
happiness in the workplace", Organizational Dynamics, 33(4), pp. 379-
392, 2004.
[30] P. M. Podsakoff, S. B. MacKenzie, J. B. Paine and D. G. Bachrach,
"Organizational citizenship behaviors: A critical review of the
theoretical and empirical literature and suggestions for future research",
Journal of Management, 26(3), pp. 513-563, 2000.
[31] T. A. Wright and R. Cropanzano, "The role of psychological well-being
in job performance: A fresh look at an age-old quest", Organizational
Dynamics, 33(4), pp. 338-351, 2004.
[32] J. M. George and A. P. Brief, "Feeling good-doing good: A conceptual
analysis of the mood at work-organizational spontaneity relationship",
Psychological Bulletin, 112(2), pp. 310-329, 1992.
[33] J. Coyle-Shapiro, "A psychological perspective on organizational
citizenship behavior", Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23(8), pp.
927-946, 2002.
[34] R. Eisenberger, S. Armeli, B. Rexwinkel, P. D. Lynch and L. Rhoades,
"Reciprocation of perceived organizational support. Journal of Applied
Psychology, 86(1), pp. 42-51, 2001.
[35] B. M. Byrne, Structural equation modelling with Lisrel, Prelis, and
Simplis, London, Lawrence Erlbaum, 1998.
[36] J. F. Hair, R. E. Anderson, R. L. Tatham and W. C. Black, Multivariate
data analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1998.
[37] J. C. Nunnally, Psychometric theory (2nd ed.). New York, McGraw-Hill,
1978.
[38] C. A. Smith, D. W. Organ and J. P. Near, "Organizational citizenship
behavior: Its nature and antecedents", Journal of Applied Psychology,
68(4), pp. 653-663, 1983.
[39] P. M. Podsakoff, S. B. MacKenzie, R. H. Moorman and R. Fetter,
"Transformational leader behaviors and their effects on followers' trust
in leader, satisfaction, and organizational citizenship behaviors",
Leadership Quarterly, 1(2), pp. 107-142, 1990.
[40] S. B. MacKenzie, P. M. Podsakoff and R. Fetter, "Organizational
citizenship behavior and objective productivity as determinants of
managerial on evaluations of salespersons' performance",
Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, pp. 123-
150, 1991.
[41] S. M. Burroughs and L. T. Eby, "Psychological sense of community at
work: A measurement system and explanatory framework", Journal of
Community Psychology, 26(6), pp. 509-532, 1998.
[42] L. van Dyne, D. Vandewalle, T. Kostova, M. E. Latham and L. L.
Cummings, "Collectivism, Propensity to Trust and Self-Esteem as
Predictors of Organizational Citizenship in a Non-Work Setting",
Journal of Organizational Behavior, 21(1), pp. 3-23, 2000.
[43] B. R. Dineen, R. J. Lewicki and C. E. Tomlinson, "Supervisory
guidance and behavioral integrity: Relationships with employee
citizenship and deviant behavior". Journal of Applied Psychology, 91,
pp. 622-635, 2006.
[44] T. Simons, "Behavioral integrity: The perceived alignment between
managers- words and deeds as a research focus", Organization Science,
13, pp. 18-85, 2002.
[45] S. W. Lester, H. H. Brower, "In the eyes of the beholder: The
relationship between subordinates- felt trustworthiness and their work
attitudes and behaviors", Journal of Leadership & Organizational
Studies, 10(2), pp. 17-34, 2003.
[46] M. A. Konovsky and S. D. Pugh, "Citizenship behavior and social
exchange". Academy of Journal Management, 37, pp. 656-669, 1994.
[47] S. Robinson, "Trust and the breach of the psychological contract",
Administrative Science Quarterly, 41, pp. 574-599, 1996.
[48] C. D. Batson, "Why act for the public good? Four answers", Personality
and Social Psychology Bulletin, 20, pp. 603-610, 1994.
[49] J. A. Piliavin and H. Charng, "Altruism: A review of recent theory and
research". Annual Review of Sociology, 16, pp. 27-65, 1990.
[50] M. Glynn and H. Jamerson, "Principled leadership: A framework for
action". In E. D. Hess & K. S. Cameron (Eds.), Leading values:
Positivity, virtue, and high performance (pp. 151-171), Cambridge,
Cambridge University Press, 2006.
[51] Aristotle, The Nicomachean ethics, Batoche Books (translated by W. D.
Ross), 1999.
[52] B. L. Fredrickson, "Positive emotions and upward spirals in
organizational settings" in K.S. Cameron, J. E. Dutton & R. E. Quinn
(eds). Positive Organizational Scholarship. (pp. 163-175), San
Francisco, Berrett Koehler, 2003.
[53] K. Schuyler, "The possibility of healthy organizations: Toward a new
framework for organizational theory and practice", Journal of Applied
Sociology, 21(2), pp. 57-59, 2004.
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:52331", author = "Neuza Ribeiro and Arménio Rego", title = "Does Perceived Organizational Virtuousness Explain Organizational Citizenship Behaviors?", abstract = "The paper shows how the perceptions of five organizational virtuousness dimensions (optimism, trust, compassion, integrity, and forgiveness) explain organizational citizenship behaviors (altruism, sportsmanship, courtesy, conscientiousness, and civic virtue). A sample comprising 216 individuals from 14 industrial organizations was collected. Individuals reported their perceptions of organizational virtuousness, their organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) being reported by their supervisors. The main findings are the following: (a) the perceptions of trust predict altruism; (b) the perceptions of integrity predict civic virtue.
", keywords = "OCB, organizational virtuousness, psychological climate", volume = "3", number = "6", pages = "708-8", }
