Civic Virtue Research Articles

Taking offence as a civic virtue, on and offline

ABSTRACT This paper critically assesses Chapters 6 and 7 of On Taking Offence. Chapter 6 defends the idea that an inclination to take offence can be a ‘corrective civic virtue’ against threats to social equality. Chapter 7 argues that the practice of taking offence does not change much when we turn to analysing our lives online. With respect to Chapter 6, I argue that the instrumental vindication of offence-taking as a virtue is in tension with arguments earlier in the book, and needs more empirical support. Earlier chapters of the book defend offence-taking as intrinsically apt and justified, regardless of its effects. What is more, if the case for offence-taking is grounded on its effects, then we need solid empirical backing; and an initial obstacle to that might be that the marginalised are probably less likely to be able to produce positive effects through their offence-taking. With regard to Chapter 7, I suggest that McTernan overlooks some potentially relevant differences between real-world and online interactions, which might make the adjustment of our norms to social media interaction more complex than she suggests.

Predictors of organizational citizenship behavior among government personnel: A structural equation modeling approach

The study aimed to develop a causal paradigm of organizational citizenship behavior among government personnel in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region. 400 employees were selected through stratified balanced sampling. Data were collected using survey questionnaires and analyzed through the mean, Pearson r, multiple regression, and structural equation modeling. The study determined that quality of work life, employee silence, and political skill statistically correlate with organizational citizenship behavior. The study inferred the predictive capacity of the exogenous latent variables in influencing the organizational citizenship behavior of LGU employees. There were five generated models of organizational citizenship behavior, and model five was determined as the best-fit structural model. The model retained five quality indicators of work life, namely compensation and rewards, training and development, relationships and cooperation, organizational culture and climate, and work environment. Prosocial silence and acquiescent silence remained as indicators of employee silence. Political skill was narrowed to three indicators, comprising social astuteness, interpersonal influence, and networking ability. Finally, altruism and civic virtue emerged as the strongest indicators of organizational citizenship behavior.

Mitigating Illiberalism Will Require Civic Virtue, Not Just Institutional Tweaks

Mitigating Illiberalism Will Require Civic Virtue, Not Just Institutional Tweaks

Forging the Resistive Republic: Social Capital, Institutional Stability, and Civic Virtue in Pluralist Democracies

Republicans too often take for granted features not easy to bring about in the absence of social capital. Lovett and Pettit (2009) consider that it is through collective political actions that citizens shed light on acts of domination. For Pettit (2012), civic vigilance is the only guarantee that “the government will be forced to remain responsive to popular inputs”. As Kimpell (2023) mentions, one of the weak points of republican theories remains the lack of an account of norm generation. I aim to show how this could occur in a way that does not constitute itself an arbitrary interference of the government in the people’s lives. The kind of generalized reciprocity which is of utmost importance for republicanism often depends on the presence of ties that connect different socio-economic groups within communities and, “where such interactions do not naturally occur, forums for interaction can be intentionally created and designed to encourage development of social capital” (Warner 2001). More specifically, I argue that such forums for interaction could be represented by polycentric systems. Furthermore, I argue that embracing polycentricity constitutes a non-dominating way in which we could promote the “resistive community” (Pettit 2012) required by republicanism. I consider that the empirical results extensively documented in the Institutional Analysis and Development framework are an appropriate starting point for designing novel republican policies and institutions that can function alongside sufficient levels of trust.

The Relationships Between Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Affective Commitment and Team Effectiveness in A Non-Profit Organization

Non-profit organizations play a crucial role in fostering healthy communities by providing vital services that contribute to economic stability and mobility. However, the effectiveness of these organizations hinges on the positive and engaged behavior of their employees. These organizations may face challenges in staffing and resource management that can hinder performance and funding, making team effectiveness and organizational citizenship behavior essential for success. This study investigates the relationships between organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), affective commitment, and team effectiveness in a non-profit organization based in Selangor. Utilizing a cross-sectional design and a quantitative approach, 118 employees across local and international branches of a non-profit organization participated in an online survey. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26. The study found that conscientiousness, courtesy, and civic virtue are the dimensions of (OCB) that positively influence team effectiveness, while altruism and sportsmanship did not show a significant impact in the non-profit context. Conscientious employees who are diligent and responsible, along with those who exhibit courtesy by being considerate and communicative, and those who actively participate in organizational activities, contribute meaningfully to team success. Furthermore, affective commitment, or employees' emotional attachment and identification with the organization, was also found to enhance team effectiveness, highlighting the role of an engaged and committed workforce in driving positive outcomes.

Capturing sources of health system legitimacy in fragmented conflict zones under different governance models: a case study of northwest Syria

IntroductionLegitimacy and trust are crucial for resilient health systems in fragmented conflict zones. This study evaluates the legitimacy of health systems in northwest Syria under different governance models.MethodsUsing a deductive and inductive mixed-methods approach, the research team developed a framework with an index, 4 sub-indices and 18 indicators to assess the legitimacy of health systems using different governance models – top-down, bottom-up, and hybrid – in the context of the response to the earthquake that hit Syria in February 2023. The study includes surveys, workshops, stakeholder consultations, and an expert panel conducted in northwest Syria and online.ResultsThe findings indicate that bottom-up health governance model is perceived as the most legitimate, followed by the mixed model, while top-down model is perceived as the least legitimate. This preference is measured across all legitimacy source sub-indices, including legality, justification, consent and performance and across the overall Health System Legitimacy Index (HSLI). However, the hybrid governance approach showed limited superiority at two indicator levels regarding long-term health system response.ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of considering the legitimacy of the health system in fragmented conflict zones. It helps explain the effectiveness of the bottom-up approach and community-based governance in enhancing trust, cooperative behaviour, health interventions and achieving sustainability. Additionally, the study highlighted the role of legitimate health systems in practising civic virtue and promoting social justice, thus contributing to peace-building efforts. These insights are crucial for policymakers and development donors to strengthen health systems in challenging contexts.

Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) Influence on Employee Performance in Hospital

Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) holds a fundamental position in influencing the efficacy of employee performance evaluations. Employing a mixed methods research design, specifically a commentary approach, this study encompasses all employees across various units of Hospital X in Banjarbaru City. Through purposive sampling, a non-probability method, 32 respondents were selected as samples. Findings reveal dimension scores: Altruism at 486, Courtesy at 668, Conscientiousness at 569, Sportmanship at 584, and Civic Virtue at 603. The study concludes that employee performance at X Hospital in Banjarbaru City is commendable across dimensions of Courtesy, Civic Virtue, Sportmanship, Conscientiousness, and Altruism.

Digital marketing communication strategy Diraloka in maintaining the national tradition

<p>This study discusses how Diraloka maintains national traditions in the postmodern era using marketing 4.0 strategies (online and offline). Technological developments make overlapping cultures accumulate and sometimes can get rid of each other, as well as various values that are often eroded by the speed of the times. This study aims to know and analyze Diraloka's digital marketing communication strategy<br />in maintaining the national tradition of the modern postal era to build brand awareness. This research uses symbolic interaction theory. The paradigm used is constructivism with a qualitative research approach. The method used is a case study. The subject of research is key informants and informants. Data collection<br />techniques use interviews, focus group discussion (FGD), observation, and documentation. The results of this study show that Diraloka's involvement in implementing digital marketing communication strategies by voicing national traditions is positively assessed by the audience or the surrounding community. From Diraloka's engagement rate on Instagram, it can be seen that this brand builds a good relationship with its audience. The story shared by Diraloka is packaged through symbols of art, literature, and literacy, and utilizes AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology for its design. Thus, moving together in maintaining,<br />developing, and voicing national traditions can have an emotional impact. Diraloka can form a civic virtue Marketing Communication Strategy 4.0, Diraloka, Symbolic Interaction, National Tradition,<br />Brand Awareness.called #AliansiPejalan and # KawanDira as a form that supports the common good of Indonesian citizens.</p>

How organizational citizenship behaviors promote job performance: evidence from the aviation industry

In the 21st century, the working environment is changing rapidly, and competition is fierce. In industries such as airlines, it is crucial to identify the factors that drive employee performance. This study aims to determine the elements of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) that have an impact on work performance. A mixed research method was employed for the study, which collected survey data from 195 employees of ground service companies in Vietnam, including Saigon Ground Service Company (Sags), Vietnam Airport Ground Service Company (Viags), and Hanoi Ground Service Joint Stock Company (Hgs). The results revealed that five factors of OCBs affect job performance, ranked in descending order: (1) Voice-speaking up about concerns, (2) civic virtue, (3) conscientiousness, (4) courtesy, and (5) altruism. The study also proposed some implications for managers of ground service companies to enhance their employees’ job performance.

Investigating EFL Students' Civic Consciousness

Civic consciousness serves as a pivotal impetus for societal advancement and development, embodying individuals' cognition, attitudes, and sense of responsibility across social, political, economic, and cultural domains. Contemporary college students, as the forthcoming leaders of society, constitute a vital segment of Chinese citizenship and play crucial roles as participants and stewards in national political development and social construction. Their civic consciousness directly impacts the construction of material, spiritual, and political civilization within China. Educating EFL students on civic consciousness is instrumental in fostering accurate ideological concepts, empowering them to fulfill their duties as social citizens, igniting creativity and intellectual curiosity, enhancing comprehensive cultural literacy and cross-cultural communication awareness, nurturing critical thinking skills, and enabling students to internalize civic virtues as their behavioral norms through natural infiltration, thereby establishing a foundation for their future roles as global citizens and contributing to sustainable development. However, the civic consciousness of EFL students is confronted with significant challenges due to the interplay of international and domestic factors. Notable issues include a deficient awareness of the rule of law and an inadequate understanding of rights. This study initiates with the concept and significance of civic consciousness, elucidating its definition, connotation, and importance within college education. Through questionnaire surveys and interviews, the current state of civic consciousness among students in ZYU(Zhejiang Yuexiu University) is analyzed, identifying prevailing problems and challenges. Subsequently, effective countermeasures within the context of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning are proposed to address these concerns.

The Harm of Social Media to Public Reason

AbstractIt is commonly agreed that so-called echo chambers and epistemic bubbles, associated with social media, are detrimental to liberal democracies. Drawing on John Rawls’s political liberalism, we offer a novel explanation of why social media platforms amplifying echo chambers and epistemic bubbles are likely contributing to the violation of the democratic norms connected to the ideal of public reason. These norms are clarified with reference to the method of (full) reflective equilibrium, which we argue should be cultivated as a civic virtue in the context of political justification. The paper demonstrates how epistemic bubbles and echo chambers are likely to be detrimental to the disposition to follow the method of reflective equilibrium in the political context. Based on this diagnosis the paper highlights the need for interventions that help cultivate reflective equilibrium as a civic virtue and the need for corresponding interdisciplinary research.

Exploring the formation of choice-based citizenship: a comparative analysis of Hong Kong natives vis-à-vis Chinese immigrants

ABSTRACT This study explores and compares the formation of choice-based citizenship between locally-born Hong Kong natives and Chinese immigrants. Unlike the conventional ‘duty-bound’ concept of citizenship, choice-based citizenship emphasises the autonomy of citizens to practice the civic virtues they consider important, rather than merely fulfilling conventional civic duties. It is considered a more progressive norm of citizenship. With results from a population survey (N = 1,066), this paper argues that while the formation of choice-based citizenship among Hong Kong natives is primarily driven by generational change, similar to what most Western societies have experienced, Hong Kong’s domestic factors play a significant role in the formation of choice-based citizenship among Chinese immigrants. Among these immigrants, choice-based citizenship is associated with their attitudes towards mass protests and news consumption through online media. Furthermore, the moderation effect presented in this paper reveals indications of the cultivation of choice-based citizenship through exposure to television news. By examining the formation of choice-based citizenship, this paper contributes to the exploration of how political socialisation occurs among migrants moving from a relatively authoritarian country to a host country with a relatively liberal environment and established democratic norms.

Perilaku Organizational Citizenship Behavior pada Karyawan

Every company is required to be able to improve company performance maximally and effectively, especially to improve individual performance. The low quality of human resources will certainly have a negative impact on the company, while successful companies need employees who are willing to do more than just their formal duties and are willing to provide performance that exceeds expectations. The purpose of this research is to determine organizational citizenship behavior in employees. This research was conducted on 72 permanent employee subjects. The research uses a quantitative approach with saturated sampling techniques. The data collection technique uses a questionnaire with measurements based on organizational citizenship behavior variables. The data analysis technique uses descriptive analysis and determines the calculated average for each aspect. The results of data processing show that the minimum value for the organizational citizenship behavior variable is 82.00 with a maximum value of 134.00 and a mean value of 108.36. The standard deviation value is 10.57809. As for aspects of organizational citizenship behavior, the average obtained was the altruism aspect of 3.15. The average courtesy aspect is 3.31. The average sportsmanship aspect is 3.18. The average conscientiousness aspect is 3.21. The Civic Virtue aspect averages 3.09.

Gender factor and organisational citizenship behaviour among academics in South Africa

A company cannot grow unless its employees engage in meaningful behaviours. Therefore, higher learning institutions must foster organisational citizenship behaviour. An educational institution's overall operations are impacted by it, which significantly affects institutions’ operations, enhances the effectiveness of educators, and has a favourable effect on students' academic performance. However, the behaviours that men and women are expected to exhibit and how their actions are perceived are both influenced by their gender. Based on the role theory as the theoretical framework, this study explored the differences between male and female respondents' exhibition of altruism, conscientiousness, sportsmanship, courtesy, and civic virtue among academics. 253 academics were chosen at random from a group of 405 participants using a convenience sampling strategy. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire and analysed through descriptive, factor analysis, and the Mann-Whitney U test. The means showed that employees of this institution appeared to be good citizens displaying all five citizenship dimensions. Furthermore, factor analysis results reported the extraction of five components. Thereafter, the Mann-Whitney test revealed that there were no discernible differences between the organisational citizenship behaviour scores of male and female respondents across all dimensions. These findings create an awareness of the importance of organisational citizenship behaviour in higher learning institutions and give managers a better knowledge of these behaviours. This study advocates that leaders should foster a strong organisational culture that promotes the exhibition of these behaviours within the workplace to make it easier for them to offer assistance to students, and colleagues and advance institutions’ goals.

Reform Practice of College Students’ Employment Guidance Course under the Concept of Curriculum Ideology and Politics

Under the background of “fostering character and civic virtue,” higher education must effectively integrate ideological and political education. The concept of curriculum ideology and politics has become increasingly developed and sophisticated, which can be a guiding concept for the teaching and reform practice of college students’ employment guidance courses. Based on educational observation and logical analysis, this paper elaborates on the connotation of the concept of curriculum ideology and politics, analyzes the key points of the reform of college students’ employment guidance courses under this concept, and affirms the value of course reform. On this basis, this paper specifically analyzes the common problems in the reform of the employment guidance course under the new concept and makes a detailed interpretation of the performance problems such as the vague course objectives and the lack of innovation in the course teaching methods. Combined with the relevant problems, this paper proposes strategies such as building the course objective system by linking the curriculum ideology and politics, and driving the teaching innovation of the course from multiple perspectives, aiming to provide more references for the corresponding course reform.

John Adams – the American Cicero? From the Genealogy of Res Publica Americana

When creating a new republic, the Foundings Fathers deemed it necessary to become well versed in the lessons of history, in order to avoid the fates of previous republics. Above all other historical corollaries, Americans evoked the example of the republican Rome that had upheld a system of government that aspired to ordered liberty as supported by a mixture of public civic virtue and effective institutional design for nearly five centuries. The comparisons were possible because the American colonies had kept the grammar school system of education then common in England, giving all educated Americans a basic grasp of Cicero’s reputation and writings, who represented eloquence, moral virtue and hostility towards tyranny. He thus became a source of inspiration for the Founders, and John Adams directly considered himself an American Cicero. In the article, the authors try to answer the question about the legitimacy of such a position of the 2nd President of the US. To do this, they compare the basic political categories of Cicero and Adams, pointing out their similarities and differences. They also examine to what extent Cicero’s thought could be applied to the reality of the young American republic.

The compatibility of character education and citizenship education in Aristotelian approaches to moral development

ABSTRACT Tensions between character education and citizenship education have existed for a long time. Some argue that character education is harmful to citizenship education; others claim that they are mutually beneficial and that we can and need to organise them synergistically. In this paper, I argue, through an exploration of civic virtue and ethical virtue in Aristotle’s theory, that citizenship education and character education are compatible and mutually supportive within Aristotelian educational frameworks, and that both are beneficial for students’ moral development and overall flourishing. First, the debate between character education and citizenship education is explored. This is followed by identifying the roles of citizenship education and character education in Aristotelian theory. Next, I examine more specifically the role of ethical virtue and civic virtue in Aristotle’s original works, and I argue that they are compatible (and sometimes overlap) to form an ideal educational outcome. In conclusion, synthesising citizenship education and character education based on Aristotle’s theory can effectively guide students toward flourishing lives, both as individuals and members of society.

Linguistic justice in English-medium instruction contexts: a theoretical argument

Abstract This article looks at English-medium instruction (EMI) contexts in higher education from a linguistic justice perspective and offers a theoretical argument to discuss the potential for EMI to be defended as a positive and valuable phenomenon, beyond economic and competitive arguments. In the final keynote panel at the 2022 ICLHE conference, Philippe Van Parijs pondered how EMI teachers might be seen: either as killers, traitors, sellers, saviours, upgraders, or liberators. After providing characterisations for each of these labels, Van Parijs suggested that EMI teachers should be better conceived of as civilisers, not in a missionary sense of civilising the barbarian, but in the Aristotelian meaning of civic virtue, of citizens being part of public life, actively involved in discussion of public affairs. This seems to imply a specific view of English, one that almost naturally equates the language to democratic progress and consensus. In the article, I challenge this assumption and suggest that for English to be a democratising agent and EMI truly a gate-opener to higher education, emphasis needs to be placed on listening subject positions and regimes of uptake as key aspects of democratic deliberation and key elements to overcome prejudiced views of accents and voices.

Revolution, Morality, and Heroism in Angola

Abstract This article explores the political uses of frameworks of heroism in Angola. It argues that after independence and governing a country it had to decolonize, the MPLA promoted a specific political morality and civic virtue by referencing its own heroes and heroines. It used its youth, women, and children’s party organizations as vehicles to indoctrinate society in the new revolutionary values and behaviours. Yet, after an immense work of signification, the archive on heroism and morality, specific to a political period, was made obsolete due to the political changes after the turn to democracy and end of the civil war.

Playful work design in fostering organizational citizenship behaviors and performance: two studies on the mediating role of work engagement

PurposePlayful work design (PWD) is a set of proactive strategies implementing fun and self-challenge at work to actively create better work conditions. Following the job demands-resources theory, this study aims to investigate the effects of PWD’s dimensions – i.e. “designing fun” and “designing competition” – on task and contextual performance (Study 1) and on the dimensions of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) – i.e. altruism, conscientiousness and civic virtue (Study 2). Furthermore, the present research investigates the mediating role of work engagement (WE) for both studies.Design/methodology/approachTwo samples of 339 and 141 Italian workers participated by filling in a self-report questionnaire. Measuring models and hypotheses have been tested by structural equation models.FindingsResults suggest that WE partially mediates the relationship of the “designing competition” subdimension of PWD with task and contextual performance (Study 1) and with conscientiousness and civic virtue of OCBs, while “designing fun” shows a positive direct relationship only with altruism (Study 2).Originality/valueThis paper contributes to expanding knowledge about PWD’s effectiveness in facilitating performance and positive behaviors. Furthermore, it disentangles the different effects of PWD’s dimensions on performance. In light of the results, both employees and managers should be aware of the beneficial consequences of introducing fun and self-competitiveness when completing their own work activities.