Individualism‐collectivism as an individual difference predictor of organizational citizenship behavior

TLDR

The search for individual differences predicting organizational citizenship behavior has yet to yield clear results. The study aims to assess whether individualism–collectivism predicts self‑reported organizational citizenship behaviors. Data were collected from participants to examine this relationship. Results indicate that collectivistic values increase the likelihood of performing citizenship behaviors, a relationship robust to common method effects and procedural justice.

Abstract

Abstract Though it appears intuitively appealing that individual differences should be related to a person's decision to perform citizenship behaviors, the search for such individual differences has yet to yield clear results. In this study, data were collected to assess the extent of a relationship between individualism–collectivism as a within culture individual difference and self‐reports of organizational citizenship behaviors. Results suggest that if an individual holds collectivistic values or norms, he/she would be more likely to perform citizenship behaviors. In addition, this relationship was found to be robust to common method effects and to the effect of the relationship between procedural justice and OCB. Implications for the way collectivistic tendencies within cultures may be used in organizations are discussed.