The impact of group formation and perceptions of fairness on organizational citizenship behaviors

Stefani Yorges, Purdue University

Abstract

Few organizations would survive without their employees volunteering, helping, providing new information, or participating in organizational activities. These behaviors have recently been termed organizational citizenship. It was speculated that certain organizational processes may affect the frequency with which these behaviors are performed. For example, when specific groups are established within an organization, social comparison and competition among those groups might decrease the number of OCB's that occur. In addition, perceptions of unfairness within an organization might decrease the number of these behaviors. It was also expected that these two variables may interact. Results indicated that group formation had a strong impact on the frequency of OCBs. Individuals were more likely to engage in helping behaviors than when two separate groups were established. On the other hand, this study found little evidence for the impact of unjust payment procedures on organizational citizenship behaviors. Furthermore, the interaction between group formation and procedural justice was not significant.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Henry, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Occupational psychology|Social psychology|Labor relations

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