A Cross Cultural Analysis of the Mediating Role of Purpose in Life on Organizational Citizenship Behavior

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), job satisfaction and life satisfaction in a cross cultural setting. The dimensions of OCB include altruism, conscientiousness, sportsmanship, courtesy, and civic virtue. However it has been cautioned that civic virtue, sportsmanship, and courtesy have dissimilar meanings and in some cases are nonexistent in other cultures. The OCB dimensions of altruism and conscientiousness were examined in the study. Additionally, this study examines the potential mediating role of the purpose in life construct, a variable not often captured for analysis in the OCB research literature. The sample consisted of US and Bahamian managers in the banking industry. Regression analysis and t-tests were performed to address study hypotheses.The study indicated significant differences existed between the two countries for dimensions of satisfaction, the two OCB dimensions and the new construct purpose in life mediates as well as increase OCB altruism and conscientiousness. Study limitations aredelineated and directions for future research are offered.