The Emic and Etic Conceptualizations of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB): Exploring Sri Lankan University Lecturers Perceptions of Their Work. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rauf, F.H. Abdul; Kumar, Shamala
• Is Part Of: South Asian journal of human resources management. Volume 2:Number 2(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 138
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Universality -- organizational citizenship behaviour -- Sri Lanka -- dimensionality; Personnel management -- South Asia -- Periodicals; 658.300954
• DOI: 10.1177/2322093715599276
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2322-0937

Abstract

Calls for examining conceptualizations of organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) across country contexts are based on the belief that these behaviours are context specific and should vary depending on where they are examined. Thus, to better understand the nature of OCB in Sri Lanka and to further explore the nature of OCB across country contexts, the present study was carried out. Academic staff perceptions of what constitutes OCB in their jobs were examined. Academic staff members were studied because the substantial role discretion afforded in academic jobs would likely provide a wide variation of OCBs in this context. Out of the responses of 97 participants, 482 items were generated. These items were content analyzed and coded into 8 major dimensions. The etic and emic nature of the dimensions were examined by comparing the eight dimensions with those derived from other studies. Of the dimensions, conscientiousness, altruism and civic virtue were found in all other studies using similar methods. They constituted a majority of initially generated response items. The five other dimensions were reported in at least one other study. No unique dimensions were found in the present context. The results indicate that a large aspect of OCBs is etic in nature, but that a smaller proportion of OCBs tend to fluctuate based on the context. No clear pattern emerged in the variations across studies.