The rocky road to prosocial behavior at work: The role of positivity and organizational socialization in preventing interpersonal strain

PLoS One. 2018 Mar 1;13(3):e0193508. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193508. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Among relevant consequences of organizational socialization, a key factor is the promotion of organizational citizenship behaviors toward individuals (i.e. OCBI). However, the relation between organizational socialization and OCBI has received little attention. This study tests the validity of a moderated mediation model in which we examine the mediating effect of a decreased interpersonal strain on the relationship between organizational socialization and OCBI, and the moderation role of a positive personal resource in reducing interpersonal strain when an unsuccessful socialization subsists. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 765 new recruits of the Guardia di Finanza-a military Police Force reporting to the Italian Minister of Economy. Findings confirm our hypothesis that interpersonal strain mediates the relationship between organizational socialization and OCBI. The index of moderated mediation results significant, showing that this effect exists at different levels of positivity. Theoretical and practical implications for promoting pro-organizational behaviors are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Organizational Culture*
  • Social Behavior
  • Socialization*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

GA received grant Progetto di Ateneo, No. 1081/2016 from Sapienza Università di Roma. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.