Does personality predict a likelihood display of organisational citizenship behaviours among university students? Empirical evidence from Ghana

Abstract

Organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) has received extensive research attention among the employed populations. But is it possible that people who are yet to be employed can display intentional OCB? Numerous studies have linked OCB to many factors including personality. We, therefore, set out to examine the association between personality traits on the likelihood of engaging in citizenship behaviours among undergraduate students. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data was gathered from 1009 students comprising 537 males and 472 females, with a mean age of 23 (SD=2.98 years) from the University of Ghana through purposive sampling. A questionnaire consisting of validated scales such as the 50-item International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) and the OCB Checklist (OCB-C) were employed to measure the ‘Big Five’ personality traits and the likelihood of OCB respectively. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that sex and age were related to the likelihood of OCB such that male and older students were more willing to engage in OCB. Among the personality traits, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability and intellect had significant relationships with the likelihood of OCB. This study shows that both demographic and personal characteristics such as personality traits are associated with students’ likelihood of engaging in OCB.