High-quality relationships as antecedents of OCB: roles of identity freedom and gender

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to expand the criterion domain of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs), by examining the relationship between high-quality relationships (HQRs) and OCBs, with identity freedom as a mediator. In addition, the study also tries to highlight the role of gender as a moderator, whereby female (vs male) employees deferentially evaluate the importance of HQRs while engaging in OCBs. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted survey research by collecting data from 160 working adults and performed both basic mediation and mediated-moderated regression analysis with bootstrapping to determine the authors’ findings. Findings Results of the study establish HQRs as important antecedents of employee citizenship behaviors, clarify the role of identity freedom as an important underlying psychological mechanism that mediates the relationship between HQRs and OCBs and position gender as an important boundary condition in the relationship between HQR and identity freedom, whereby female employees are more likely to enjoy identity freedom in the presence of HQRs, as opposed to males. Research limitations/implications The present study illustrates the importance of HQRs and identity freedom as precursors of OCBs and in doing so expands the nomological net of OCBs, especially with respect to the antecedents of OCBs. The study also expands the scope of social identity theory by highlighting, in addition to social identity, the importance of identity expression. Practical implications This study provides guidance to organizational practitioners to focus on building HQRs at work as HQRs, by making employees feel safe, pave the way for OCBs. In addition, the study also highlights the importance of gender as a moderator, whereby employees with different gender affiliations react differently to organizational contexts. Originality/value Very little research has examined the relationship between HQRs and OCB. Antecedents of OCBs have been grouped into four categories: individual (or employee) characteristics, task characteristics, organizational characteristics and leadership behaviors. Clearly, the role played by the quality of interpersonal relationships in fostering OCBs has not been fully examined. By highlighting HQRs and identity freedom as antecedents of OCBs, the study informs the OCB literature by introducing interpersonal-relational and attitudinal elements as criterions of OCBs.