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Feeling obliged or happy to be a good soldier? Employee cognitive and affective reactions to receiving reactive and proactive help

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  • Yuan-Fang Zhan

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Li-Rong Long

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Kong Zhou

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Hai-Jiang Wang

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

Research shows that when employees receive help from their coworkers, they often “pay it forward” by doing something beneficial to their organization in turn. In this study, we propose a dual-process model linking interpersonal helping to employee organizational citizenship behavior directed at the organization (OCBO). In particular, we hypothesize that receiving reactive help from coworkers (i.e., help in response to a beneficiary’s request) elicits a cognitive process in which employees feel obligated to perform OCBO. Meanwhile, receiving proactive help from coworkers (i.e., help without a beneficiary’s request) elicits an affective process in which employees feel happy (i.e., more positive affect) to engage in OCBO. Using a scenario experiment (N = 231) and a daily diary study (N = 111, total observations = 854), we found results that supported for our hypotheses. Our findings suggest that receiving different types of help (reactive vs. proactive) may invoke different psychological processes, although they both promote employee OCBO. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings were discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuan-Fang Zhan & Li-Rong Long & Kong Zhou & Hai-Jiang Wang, 2023. "Feeling obliged or happy to be a good soldier? Employee cognitive and affective reactions to receiving reactive and proactive help," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(1), pages 37-57, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:asiapa:v:40:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s10490-021-09774-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10490-021-09774-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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