What Good Soldiers Are Made of: The Role of Personality Similarity

UM > Faculty of Business Administration > DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING

Status	已發表Published
	What Good Soldiers Are Made of: The Role of Personality Similarity
	Lai, Y. M.; Lam, S.K.; Chow, W. C.
	2015-11-01
Source Publication	Journal of Managerial psychology
ISSN	0268-3946
Pages	1003-1018
Abstract	Purpose – Previous studies have often yielded mixed results in relation to the similar-to-me effect on extra-role behaviors. Based on social exchange theory, this study aimed to uncover the contribution of personality similarity to organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), a type of extra-role behaviors. Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaire surveys were conducted in a multinational bank in Hong Kong. The participants were matched sample of 403 customer service representatives from 81 teams and their corresponding team supervisors. Findings – Personality similarity to peers and supervisors had a positive impact on individual OCB (OCB-I) and organizational OCB (OCB-O) respectively through better communication and social integration. Moreover, personality similarity to peers was related only to OCB-I, whereas personality similarity to supervisor was associated only with OCB-O. Research limitations/implications – Subordinates perform different facets of OCB depending on the subjects they are similar to in terms of personality. Being similar to others could facilitate communication and social integration, which in turn promote OCB targeted at similar individuals. The importance of distinguishing the similarity effects of peers and supervisors separately as well as scrutinizing the effects of different forms of OCB warrants future research attention. Practical implications – Managers can promote OCB by enhancing communication and social integration among employees and supervisors. Social impact – As OCB enhances organizational effectiveness, the economic development of society in general will eventually benefit from having more effective organizations. Originality/value – This study addresses the inconsistent findings of previous studies regarding the impact of similarity on OCB. It demonstrates the contribution of personality similarity to OCB beyond the confounding effects of judgment bias. It also advances theory by studying personality similarity to peers in addition to the commonly studied similarity to supervisors.
Keyword	Organizational Citizenship Behavior Personality Similarity Social Exchange Theory
Language	英語English
The Source to Article	PB_Publication
PUB ID	15297
Document Type	Journal article
Collection	DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING
Corresponding Author	Lai, Y. M.
Recommended Citation GB/T 7714	Lai, Y. M.,Lam, S.K.,Chow, W. C.. What Good Soldiers Are Made of: The Role of Personality Similarity[J]. Journal of Managerial psychology, 2015, 1003-1018.
APA	Lai, Y. M.., Lam, S.K.., & Chow, W. C. (2015). What Good Soldiers Are Made of: The Role of Personality Similarity. Journal of Managerial psychology, 1003-1018.
MLA	Lai, Y. M.,et al."What Good Soldiers Are Made of: The Role of Personality Similarity".Journal of Managerial psychology (2015):1003-1018.

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