Interpersonal characteristics and citizenship climate as predictors of contextual performance in organizations

This research examines the relations between particular interpersonal characteristics of organizational members and two aspects of contextual performance: interpersonal facilitation and job dedication. Contextual performance consists of employee activities that shape the organizational and social context in which “core technical activities function.”; This research also investigates the relationship between “citizenship climate” and contextual performance. Citizenship climate includes trust and fairness, norms for helpfulness and cooperation, and reward systems based on broad contributions. Two aspects of citizenship climate are proposed: cooperative climate and achievement climate.; Specific hypotheses are tested regarding the relationships between individual differences in interpersonal characteristics, contextual performance, and work unit citizenship climate. The multiplicative effects of interpersonal characteristics and citizenship climate on contextual performance are also tested.; A sample of 478 employees at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) was drawn from four primary level field activities. This resulted in 30 usable work units for data analysis. Data were collected on-site at each location. Employees completed paper-and-pencil instruments to assess interpersonal characteristics, citizenship climate, and cognitive ability. Task and contextual performance data were collected using rating forms in separate sessions with supervisors. Cognitive ability and task performance serve as control variables.; Results show that individuals who demonstrate high levels of altruism, social sensitivity, and dependability, coupled with lower levels of initiative are more likely to engage in interpersonal facilitation. In addition, individuals with higher levels of social conformity and achievement-striving are more likely to engage in job dedication. These findings are significant even when cognitive ability and experience are accounted for.; Results also show that working in a high achievement climate positively predicts interpersonal facilitation and job dedication. However, a cooperative climate does not influence interpersonal facilitation behaviors when examined jointly with achievement climate.; Results do not support citizenship climate as a moderator of interpersonal characteristics and contextual performance. While certain interpersonal characteristics and citizenship climate predict contextual performance, the multiplicative effects of these variables do not significantly improve prediction.; This research combines individual differences and situational approaches to demonstrate how individuals and groups influence the social context of work. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as future research directions are discussed.