The little engine that could: the impact of psychological empowerment on organizational citizenship behavior

PurposeThe study examines the relationships between the dimensions of psychological empowerment and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). The purpose is to identify specific dimensions of psychological empowerment that are linked to above average or “beyond the expected” citizenship behaviors.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical basis for a linkage between the four dimensions of psychological empowerment and dimensions of OCB was developed. Using a sample of 137 participants, these theoretical relationships were tested with hierarchical linear multiple regressions.FindingsThere are differential relationships between the dimensions of psychological empowerment and the dimensions of OCB. The OCB dimensions of contentiousness, altruism and obedience are linked to the psychological empowerment dimension of meaning: conscientiousness is also linked to competency.Research limitations/implicationsThe study sample was single industry and single organization to avoid interindustry and interorganizational contamination, and the results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the study hypotheses in other industries and occupations.Practical implicationsThe study sample was single industry and single organization to avoid interindustry and interorganizational contamination, and the results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the study hypotheses in other industries and occupations.Originality/valueThis paper reports the first known study of the relationships between Spreitzer's psychological empowerment dimensions and OCB. The value is the identification of manipulable relationships that can explain actual empowerment and provide pragmatic guidance for managers to increase empowerment and thus hopefully organizational effectiveness.