Role expectations as antecedents of citizenship: The moderating effects of work context

Erich C. Dierdorff, DePaul University
Robert S. Rubin, DePaul University
Daniel G. Bachrach, University of Alabama

Abstract

In this field study of 198 incumbents, we examine how facets of work context affect the relationship between employees’ role expectations and supervisor ratings of their citizenship. Building on an emerging focus in the citizenship literature, we expand the scope of role perceptions to capture employees’ beliefs about the importance of various work activities and worker attributes needed for successful role performance (i.e., role expectations). Results support the role theory framework that we develop and suggest that aspects of both the social and task context moderate the relationship between employees’ role expectations for prosocial role requirements and citizenship. Implications of these results for both theory and practice in the citizenship area are discussed, as are directions for further research.