Organizational Citizenship Behavior in Sport: Relationships with Leadership, Team Cohesion, and Athlete Satisfaction

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to introduce the construct of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB; Organ, 1988) into the sport psychology literature and examine its utility in sport. Based upon OCB research in the organizational literature, the Multidimensional Model of Leadership (MML; Chelladurai, 1978), the conceptual framework of team cohesion (CFC; Carron & Hausenblas, 1998), and a model of athlete satisfaction (MAS; Chelladurai & Riemer, 1997) were selected as theoretically sound antecedents to be associated with OCB in sport. A total of 193 student-athletes from a large Division I university and a smaller Division III university representing a variety of sports participated in the study. Results of the study provide preliminary evidence for OCB as a unique and meaningful construct in sport and support many of the predictions hypothesized in the MML, CFC, and MAS. Results are discussed in the context of previous literature as well as theoretical, research, and practical implications.

Mark W. Aoyagi is now at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver.

This paper is a result of the doctoral dissertation of the first author, who would like to thank his committee: Richard Cox (Chair), Rick McGuire, Niels Beck, Rich Lapan, and Norm Gysbers for their inspiration, time, and support. Additional thanks to all of the coaches, student-athletes, and athletic department personnel, without whom the study would not have been possible.