Bolstering organizational identity, commitment, and citizenship behaviors through the process of inoculation

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine whether organizational identity, commitment, and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) can be bolstered through the use of inoculation treatments.Design/methodology/approachA four‐phase experiment with 317 subjects was conducted in a laboratory setting to determine if inoculation messages could bolster organizational attitudes manifested in organizational identity and commitment, as well as citizenship behaviors.FindingsResults show that organizational identity, organizational commitment, and certain OCBs can be strengthened through internal communication.Research limitations/implicationsSmall effect sizes are a limitation, but they are very common in persuasion research.Originality/valueThis article adds to the literature on organizational identity, commitment, and OCBs. It demonstrates that inoculation can be used to bolster these employee attitudes, which had not been examined before.