An investigation of key predictors of organizational citizenship behavior of civil servants: Empirical evidence from Uganda

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the key predictors of organizational citizenship behavior of civil servants in local governments in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach The study draws on a quantitative approach and cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected using a self-administered closed-ended questionnaire from a sample size of 265 respondents derived using Krejcie and Morgan (1970) from a population of 844 civil servants using stratified simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS statistical software vs 23 and Hypotheses tested using Hayes (2018) Process Macro v3.2 (Model 4). Findings The findings revealed that organizational justice has a significant positive effect on organizational commitment, which impact positively on organizational citizenship behavior of civil servants. The study further reveals an indirect-only mediation where organizational justice affects organizational citizenship behavior through organizational commitment. The study proves that there is no direct relationship such a relationship is enhanced through organizational commitment. Originality/value This study contributes to knowledge by providing key information on the predictors of organizational citizenship behavior of civil servants. The indirect-only mediation findings give some new insights into theory and literature. This study has eventually changed the direction of the debate popularly held among previous scholars who believe that organizational justice relates to organizational citizenship behavior. This is relevant in understanding the concept of organizational citizenship behavior and filling the practical gap that exists in Ugandan context.