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Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
Published on: February 25, 2011
Relational correlates of interpersonal citizenship behavior: a social network perspective
Wm Matthew Bowler1, Daniel J Brass
1Department of Management, College of Business Administration, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76201, USA. bowlerm@unt.edu
The Journal of Applied Psychology
|January 27, 2006
Summary
Social network ties significantly influence interpersonal citizenship behavior (ICB) performance and receipt. Strong friendships and influence dynamics, explained by social exchange and impression management theories, are key factors in workplace interactions.
Area of Science:
- Organizational Behavior
- Social Psychology
- Human Resource Management
Background:
- Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) encompasses actions beyond formal job roles.
- Interpersonal Citizenship Behavior (ICB) specifically focuses on positive social interactions within the workplace.
- Understanding the drivers of ICB is crucial for fostering a cooperative work environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of social network ties on the performance and receipt of ICB.
- To test hypotheses derived from social exchange theory and impression management theory regarding ICB.
- To determine if these relationships persist after controlling for various individual and job-related factors.
Main Methods:
- A field study was conducted with 141 employees in a manufacturing firm.
- Data were collected on social network ties, including friendship strength and influence dynamics.
- Statistical analyses controlled for job satisfaction, commitment, procedural justice, hierarchical level, and similarity variables.
Main Results:
- Social network ties were significantly related to both the performance and receipt of ICB.
- The strength of friendship showed a positive association with ICB performance and receipt.
- Asymmetric and 3rd-party influence were also significantly linked to ICB performance and receipt.
Conclusions:
- Social network characteristics play a vital role in shaping interpersonal citizenship behavior.
- Findings support both social exchange and impression management perspectives in explaining ICB dynamics.
- The study highlights the importance of social relationships in predicting employee behavior beyond formal job requirements.
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