Effect of Psychosocial Safety Climate on Organizational Citizenship Behaviours of Operators in the Ready-Made Garment Industry in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the effect of four dimensions of psychosocial safety climate (PSC) on organizational citizenship behaviour toward individuals (OCBI) and organizations (OCBO) of operator-level employees of the ready-made garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh. Despite having plenteous research in the PSC and OCB literature, the development of theoretical models and validation were the gaps that required attempts to investigate the role of specific dimensions of PSC on the employees’ positive behavioural outcomes. The study followed quantitative, co-relational and cross-sectional approaches to examine the responses of 327 sample participants. The population of this study was all operating employees of the RMG organizations registered with BGMEA located in Dhaka. The study collected data through a structured questionnaire following the survey method. The present study developed a theoretical model and employed the PLS-SEM technique to justify the reliability and validity (convergent and discriminant) of the measurement model and test the study hypotheses through the structural model assessment. The study employed SPSS v.20 and Smart PLS v.3.3.3 for common method variance and the descriptive and inferential statistical assessments. The study results supported six hypotheses out of eight and unveiled that the employees’ perception of three dimensions of PSC (PSCMS, PSCOC and PSCOP) had positive impacts on OCBI and OCBO. Besides, the other two hypotheses were not supported by the study results, where the impacts of PSCMP on OCBI and OCBO were examined. The study discussed its findings in alignment with previous research reports and presented suggestions for future researchers and practitioners. This study poses theoretical implications in developing and corroborating a new conceptual model in PSC and OCB literature that cover the impact of each dimension of PSC on employees’ OCBI and OCBO. The findings of this study will contribute practically by sending a message to the higher authority of Bangladeshi RMG organizations that the employees’ psychosocial well-being oriented managerial support, communication, and participation will persuade the employees to expose the greater extent of OCB.