The effects of organizational justice, trust and supervisor–subordinate guanxi on organizational citizenship behavior: a social-exchange perspective

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to use a social exchange perspective to investigate the influence of organizational justice on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Design/methodology/approach Survey and interview data were collected from a sample of insurance firm sales representatives in Taiwan. Structural equation modeling was deployed to explore the relationship between organizational justice, trust, supervisor–subordinate guanxi and OCB. Findings The findings offer important theoretical, managerial and social implications for life insurers’ human resource managers. Practical implications Organizational justice is a primary influence on OCB, which is connected with the underlying mediating mechanism of trust (trust in supervisor and trust in subordinate) and supervisor–subordinate guanxi (i.e. off-the-job activities). Social implications Subordinates can enhance guanxi with their supervisors to create a more harmonious working environment, creating mutual trust. The results suggest that supervisor–subordinate guanxi is based on long-term social exchange. How to balance fairness and efficiency is an import question for decision-makers. Originality/value This study’s examination of the role of trust and supervisor–subordinate guanxi in mediating the relationship between organizational justice and OCB expands the organizational behavior literature into a different industry (life insurance) and cultural context (Taiwan).