Net Effects of Social Network Density and Organizational Citizenship Behavior on Group Performance

The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB), social network density, and group performance. Social networks have recently become a key area of interest for researchers in the study of management in organizations. OCB has, likewise, seen a considerable amount of attention in research literature as a direct and indirect contributor to group performance. This field study, conducted at a military training course, attempted to explore the possible net effects of network density and citizenship behaviors on group performance. Longitudinal social network data was used to examine whether there was a relationship between the levels of OCB displayed and the level of performance achieved in each group. Linear regression was used to explore the moderating and mediating relationships in this study. A sample of 406 students in 28 groups was studied. The data gathered provided empirical evidence that density and one dimension of OCB, sportsmanship, are negatively related to performance in both the task and friendship networks suggesting that low OCBs may actually be related to higher group performance. The results contradicted the social network density and OCB literature that predicted a positive relationship with performance.