Organizational Citizenship Behavior in Sport: A Perspective From Athletes

in Journal of Sport Management

Click name to view affiliation

Adam LoveThe University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Search for other papers by Adam Love in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
*
and
Seungmo KimHong Kong Baptist University

Search for other papers by Seungmo Kim in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
*
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2018-0036
Keywords:
organizational behavior; performance; qualitative research
In Print:
Volume 33: Issue 1
Page Range:
25–36
Restricted access

Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) refers to acts by members of an organization that are not formally required, but that contribute to the effective functioning of the organization. The current study investigated the types of OCB in which athletes engage as well as athletes’ perceptions about the nature of OCB in sport. Through qualitative interviews with current and former college athletes, the investigators found that athletes engage in a wide variety of OCB, some of which appears to be unique to the context of sport. With respect to the nature of OCB in sport, participants identified the existence of a substantial “gray area” regarding what is and is not required of athletes. Notably, the pressures that can coerce people to engage in “voluntary” activities may be particularly strong in sport. Ultimately, the current study serves a pioneering role in helping to illustrate the unique nature of OCB in sport.

Love is with the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN. Kim is with the Department of Sport and Physical Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.

Address author correspondence to Adam Love at alove1@utk.edu.
  • Collapse
  • Expand

Journal of Sport Management

Cover Journal of Sport Management

  • Andrew, D.P.S., Kim, S., Mahony, D.F., & Hums, M.A. (2009). Outcomes of distributive justice in intercollegiate athletics. International Journal of Sport Management, 10(4), 474–498.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Aoyagi, M.W., Cox, R.H., & McGuire, R.T. (2008). Organizational citizenship behavior in sport: Relationships with leadership, team cohesion, and athlete satisfaction. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 20(1), 25–41. doi:10.1080/10413200701784858

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bateman, T.S., & Organ, D.W. (1983). Job satisfaction and the good soldier: The relationship between affect and employee “citizenship”. Academy of Management Journal, 26(4), 587–595. doi:10.2307/255908

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Boeije, H. (2002). A purposeful approach to the constant comparative method in the analysis of qualitative interviews. Quality & Quantity, 36(4), 391–409. doi:10.1023/A:1020909529486

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bolino, M.C., Klotz, A.C., Turnley, W.H., & Harvey, J. (2013). Exploring the dark side of organizational citizenship behavior. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 34, 542–559. doi:10.1002/job.1847

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bolino, M.C., Turnley, W.H., Gilstrap, J.B., & Suazo, M.H. (2010). Citizenship under pressure: What’s a “good soldier” to do? Journal of Organizational Behavior, 31, 835–855. doi:10.1002/job.635

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Borman, W.C., & Motowidlo, S.M. (1993). Expanding the criterion domain to include elements of contextual performance. In N. Schmitt & W.C. Borman (Eds.), Personnel selection in organizations (pp. 71–98). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Brief, A.P., & Motowidlo, S.J. (1986). Prosocial organizational behaviors. The Academy of Management Review, 11(4), 710–725. doi:10.5465/amr.1986.4283909

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Chelladurai, P., & Kerwin, S. (2017). Human resource management in sport and recreation (3rd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

  • Chelladurai, P., & Ogasawara, E. (2003). Satisfaction and commitment of American and Japanese collegiate coaches. Journal of Sport Management, 17(1), 62–73. doi:10.1123/jsm.17.1.62

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Chelladurai, P., & Saleh, S.D. (1980). Dimensions of leader behavior in sports: Development of a leadership scale. Journal of Sport Psychology, 2(1), 34–45. doi:10.1123/jsp.2.1.34

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • De Bosscher, V., Bingham, J., Shibil, S., van Bottenburg, M., & De Knop, P. (2008). The global sporting arms race: An international comparative study on sports policy factors leading to international sporting success. Oxford, UK: Meyer & Meyer Sport.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fletcher, D., & Wagstaff, C.R.D. (2009). Organizational psychology in elite sport: Its emergence, application and future. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 10(4), 427–434. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2009.03.009

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Glaser, B.G., & Strauss, A.L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago, IL: Aldine.

  • Graham, J.W. (1991). An essay on organizational citizenship behavior. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 4(4), 249–270. doi:10.1007/BF01385031

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gubrium, J.F., & Holstein, J.A. (1997). The new language of qualitative method. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

  • Gustafsson, H., Kenttä, G., & Hassmén, P. (2011). Athlete burnout: An integrated model and future research directions. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 4, 3–24. doi:10.1080/1750984X.2010.541927

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hughes, R., & Coakley, J. (1991). Positive deviance among athletes: The implications of overconformity to the sport ethic. Sociology of Sport Journal, 8, 307–325. doi:10.1123/ssj.8.4.307

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hums, M.A., & Chelladurai, P. (1994). Distributive justice in intercollegiate athletics: Development of an instrument. Journal of Sport Management, 8(3), 190–199. doi:10.1123/jsm.8.3.190

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ilies, R., Nahrgang, J.D., & Morgeson, F.P. (2007). Leader-member exchange and citizenship behaviors: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(1), 269–277. PubMed ID: 17227168 doi:10.1037/0021-9010.92.1.269

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kerr, G.A., & Stirling, A.E. (2012). Parents’ reflections on their child’s experiences of emotionally abusive coaching practices. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 24, 191–206. doi:10.1080/10413200.2011.608413

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kim, S., Andrew, D.P.S., Mahony, D.F., & Hums, M.A. (2008). Distributive justice in intercollegiate athletics: Perceptions of student athletes. International Journal of Sport Management, 9(4), 379–393.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lavelle, J.J., Konovsky, M.A., & Brockner, J. (2005, August). Differentiating the antecedents of OCBO and OCBI: A multiple commitments and justice framework. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Management, Honolulu, HI.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lee, K., & Allen, N.J. (2002). Organizational citizenship behavior and workplace deviance: The role of affect and cognitions. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(1), 131–142. PubMed ID: 11916207 doi:10.1037/0021-9010.87.1.131

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • LePine, J.A., Erez, A., & Johnson, D.E. (2002). The nature and dimensionality of organizational citizenship behavior: A critical review and meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(1), 52–65. PubMed ID: 11916216 doi:10.1037/0021-9010.87.1.52

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Luthans, F., & Youssef, C.M. (2007). Emerging positive organizational behavior. Journal of Management, 33, 321–349. doi:10.1177/0149206307300814

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • MacDougall, A.E., Buckley, M.R., Johnson, G., & Mecca, J. (2016, January). Examining motives in organizational citizenship behavior: Introducing the OCB-Intentionality Scale. In Academy of management proceedings (Vol. 2016, No. 1, p. 14931). Briarcliff Manor, NY: Academy of Management.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • MacKenzie, S.B., Podsakoff, P.M., & Ahearne, M. (1996). The effects of OCB on the effectiveness of pharmaceutical sales teams.Unpublished data analysis, Indiana University School of Business, Bloomington.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • McAllister, S.B., Kamdar, D., Morrison, E.W., & Turban, D.B. (2007). Disentangling role perceptions: How perceived role breadth, discretion, instrumentality, and efficacy relate to helping and taking charge. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92, 1200–1211. PubMed ID: 17845080 doi:10.1037/0021-9010.92.5.1200

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • McNeely, B.L., & Meglino, B.M. (1994). The role of dispositional and situational antecedents in prosocial organizational behavior: An examination of the intended beneficiaries of prosocial behavior. Journal of Applied Psychology, 79(6), 836–844. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.79.6.836

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Motowidlo, S.J. (2000). Some basic issues related to contextual performance and organizational citizenship behavior in human resource management. Human Resource Management Review, 10(1), 115–126. doi:10.1016/S1053-4822(99)00042-X

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Organ, D.W. (1988). Organizational citizenship behavior: The good soldier syndrome. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

  • Organ, D.W. (1997). Organizational citizenship behavior: It’s construct clean-up time. Human Performance, 10(2), 85–97. doi:10.1207/s15327043hup1002_2

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Organ, D.W., Podsakoff, P.M., & MacKenzie, S.B. (2006). Organizational citizenship behavior: Its nature, antecedents, and consequences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Organ, D.W., & Ryan, K. (1995). A meta-analytic review of attitudinal and dispositional predictors of organizational citizenship behavior. Personnel Psychology, 48(4), 775–802. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6570.1995.tb01781.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Podsakoff, N.P., Whiting, S.W., Podsakoff, P.M., & Blume, B.D. (2009). Individual- and organizational-level consequences of organizational citizenship behavior: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94, 122–141. PubMed ID: 19186900 doi:10.1037/a0013079

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Podsakoff, P.M., Ahearne, M., & MacKenzie, S.B. (1997). Organizational citizenship behavior and the quantity and quality of work group performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 82(2), 262–270. PubMed ID: 9109284 doi:10.1037/0021-9010.82.2.262

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Podsakoff, P.M., & Mackenzie, S.B. (1994). An examination of the psychometric properties and nomological validity of some revised and reduced substitutes for leadership scales. Journal of Applied Psychology, 79(5), 702–713. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.79.5.702

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Podsakoff, P.M., MacKenzie, S.B., Paine, J.B., & Bachrach, D.G. (2000). Organizational citizenship behaviors: A critical review of the theoretical and empirical literature and suggestions for future research. Journal of Management, 26(3), 513–563. doi:10.1177/014920630002600307

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Reiley, P.J., & Jacobs, R.R. (2016). Ethics matter: Moderating leaders’ power use and followers’ citizenship behaviors. Journal of Business Ethics, 134, 69–81. doi:10.1007/s10551-014-2416-0

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Riemer, H.A., & Chelladurai, P. (1998). Development of the Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaire (ASQ). Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 20(2), 127–156. doi:10.1123/jsep.20.2.127

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Salamon, S.D., & Deutsch, Y. (2006). OCB as handicap: An evolutionary psychological perspective. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 27, 185–199. doi:10.1002/job.348

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Smith, C.A., Organ, D.W., & Near, J.P. (1983). Organizational citizenship behavior: Its nature and antecedents. Journal of Applied Psychology, 68(4), 653–663.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sparkes, A.C., & Smith, B. (2014). Qualitative research methods in sport, exercise and health: From process to product. New York, NY: Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stirling, A.E., & Kerr, G.A. (2009). Abused athletes’ perceptions of the coach-athlete relationship. Sport in Society, 12, 227–239. doi:10.1080/17430430802591019

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stirling, A.E., & Kerr, G.A. (2014). Initiating and sustaining emotional abuse in the coach-athlete relationship: An ecological transactional model of vulnerability. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 23, 116–135. doi:10.1080/10926771.2014.872747

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Tomlinson, A., & Yorganci, I. (1997). Male coach/female athletes relations: Gender and power relations in competitive sport. Journal of Sport & Social Issues, 21, 134–155. doi:10.1177/019372397021002003

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Vallerand, R.J., Deshaies, P., Cuerrier, J.P., BriÈre, N.M., & Pelletier, L.G. (1996). Toward a multidimensional definition of sportsmanship. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 8, 89–101. doi:10.1080/10413209608406310

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Van Dyne, L., Cummings, L.L., & McLean Parks, J. (1995). Extra-role behaviors: In pursuit of construct and definitional clarity (a bridge over muddied waters). Research in Organizational Behavior, 17, 215–285.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Van Dyne, L., & LePine, J.A. (1998). Helping and voice extra-role behaviors: Evidence of construct and predictive validity. Academy of Management Journal, 41(1), 108–119.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Van Scotter, J.R., & Motowidlo, S.J. (1996). Interpersonal facilitation and job dedication as separate facets of contextual performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 81(5), 525–531. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.81.5.525

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Vigoda-Gadot, E. (2006). Compulsory citizenship behavior: Theorizing some dark sides of the good soldier syndrome in organizations. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 36, 77–93. doi:10.1111/j.1468-5914.2006.00297.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wagstaff, C., Fletcher, D., & Hanton, S. (2011). Positive organizational psychology in sport: An ethnography of organizational function in a national sport organization. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 24(1), 26–47. doi:10.1080/10413200.2011.589423

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Walz, S.M., & Niehoff, B.P. (1996). Organizational citizenship behaviors and their relationship with indicators of organizational effectiveness in limited menu restaurants. In Academy of management best papers proceedings (pp. 307–311). Statesboro, GA: Georgia Southern University.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Williams, L.J., & Anderson, S.E. (1991). Job satisfaction and organizational commitment as predictors of organizational citizenship and in-role behavior. Journal of Management, 17(3), 601–617. doi:10.1177/014920639101700305

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wolcott, H.F. (2005). The art of fieldwork (2nd ed.). Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press.

  • Yukelson, D. (1997). Principles of effective team building interventions in sport: A direct services approach at Penn State University. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 9, 73–96. doi:10.1080/10413209708415385

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 3480 1746 93
Full Text Views 144 26 0
PDF Downloads 98 41 1