Organizational citizenship behaviour and emotional intelligence: study of power sector of Punjab

Abstract

The aim of this empirical study is to examine the relationship between organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and emotional intelligence (EI). This study intends to explore the relationship among the independent (EI) and dependent (OCB) variables through canonical correlation analysis and hierarchical regression. Demographic variables have also been explored thoroughly through correlation, ANOVA and as control variables in regression analysis. Five dimensions of OCB namely, altruism, sportsmanship, conscientiousness, courtesy and civic virtue have been included in the study; whereas four dimensions of EI based on Schutte et al. (1998) i.e. perception of emotions, managing own emotions, managing others emotions and utilization of emotions have been tested. The present study has been conducted at two thermal plants located in Punjab. Sample constituted of 250 superior-subordinate dyads working on technical and non-technical jobs in the power plants in India. EI of the respondent has been self-reported, while OCB has been superior rated. Thus, the problem of common method variance has been avoided by collecting data from the respondent as well as their seniors. The outcomes indicated that there is positive relationship between OCB and EI (Rc = .57, r = .51) and EI significantly predicted OCB (and#946; = .50, and#8710;R2 = .25, p lt .01) of the respondent after controlling for the demographic variables. Sensitivity analysis has been carried out to validate the results obtained through canonical correlation analysis by removing individual independent variable as well as dependent variable at a time. The results show little difference, indicating stability of the results. Among OCB dimensions, sportsmanshipand courtesy emerge as statistically significant; while among EI dimensions, utilization of emotions and managing own emotions have been found as greatest contributors. Experience and income have been found to be quite significant as control variables followed by age and education.