Conceptualization and Operationalization of an Altruistic and Egoistic Continuum of Organizational Citizenship Behavior Motivations

Abstract

This study proposes and empirically tests a holistic framework of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) motivation that uses an altruistic–egoistic continuum. It also tests the structural relationships between altruistic and egoistic motivations and different dimensions of OCB. Analysis of questionnaire data from 398 hotel employee respondents supported eight of nine proposed relationships. Study results indicate a continuum incorporating multiple altruistic and egoistic motivations and suggest that OCB can be stimulated by both altruistic and egoistic motivations. The findings show that managers should facilitate positive social exchange in the hotel, provide constructive feedback regarding the desired performance, and encourage employees to engage more often in OCB directed toward the organization.