The Moderating Effects of Trust and Felt Trust on the Nonlinear Relationship Between Compulsory Citizenship Behavior and Counterproductive Work Behavior.

Purpose: This study explored the J-shaped effect of compulsory citizenship behavior on counterproductive work behavior of new generation employees, as well as the separate and joint moderating effects of trust and felt trust on the J-shaped relationship between compulsory citizenship behavior and counterproductive work behavior. Methods: Three waves of data were collected from 659 new generation employees in China. A self-report method was used to measure compulsory citizenship behavior, counterproductive work behavior, trust and felt trust. Then, based on the cognitive appraisal theory of stress and social information processing theory, a nonlinear model was constructed and tested. Results: (1) Compulsory citizenship behavior had a J-shaped effect on job performance. That is, when the compulsory citizenship behavior level was lower, the effect of compulsory citizenship behavior on counterproductive work behavior was not significant; but when it increased to medium and higher levels, the effect was significant and stronger. (2) The moderating effect of trust (employees' perceived trust in leader) or felt trust (employees' perception of being trusted by leader) was significant. That is, when trust or felt trust was lower, the J-shaped effect was stronger; conversely, the J-shaped effect was weak. (3) The joint moderating effect of trust and felt trust was significant. That is, when trust was high, the moderation effect of felt trust was significant; conversely, the moderation effect of felt trust was not significant. Conclusion: The results identify the nonlinear effect of compulsory citizenship behavior through exploring the J-shaped effect of compulsory citizenship behavior on counterproductive work behavior and the boundary conditions in the nonlinear relationship. Meanwhile, the study provide implications for organizations regarding how to manage employees' work behavior.

When and why proactive employees get promoted: A trait activation perspective.

Although there is a consensus that workplace proactivity is vital for both employees and organizations, little is known as whether proactivity is beneficial for employees to develop leadership capabilities. Drawing from trait activation theory, we theorize that proactive personality could enhance employee promotability through taking charge behavior. We also propose that task structure determines the odds that proactive employees might be promoted. We tested the theoretical model with data from 226 employees and their direct leaders in 26 teams at three time points. The results of multi-level path analysis indicated that the positive relationship between proactive personality and taking charge was stronger in more organic work unit, which in turn, positively related to employees' promotability. These findings provide new knowledge in understanding the impacts of proactive personality and offers important empirical practices for proactivity management for organizations.