A metamodel approach towards Self-Determination Theory: A study of New Zealand managers’ organisational citizenship behaviours

The present study brings together the multiple dimensions of self-determination theory (SDT), the three facilitators (global aspirations, global motivation and mindfulness), the three needs (autonomy, competence and relatedness), and perceived autonomous support (PAS) towards the organisational citizenship behaviours (OCBs) of 386 New Zealand managers. SDT suggests that individuals with higher SDT dimensions will achieve greater motivation and wellbeing, however, few studies include more than one SDT dimension. The findings show that overall the majority of SDT dimensions were significantly correlated to OCB dimensions. Moderated regression analysis found that auntomous motivation was positvely rateled to OCBs with controlled motivations negatively rated to OCBs. PAS and most of the need satisfaction dimensions were also positively rated to OCBs. Intrinsic aspirations were related to OCBs individual only. PAS was also tested as a moderator of SDT dimensions, and five significant interactions were found to influence OCB individual and one to influence OCBs organisational. Overall, the highest levels of OCBs were reported by managers with higher than average PAS and those who rated highly on the SDT dimensions.. This study provides strong and consistent support that SDT dimensions influence OCBs, and the consistent influence of PAS highlights the importance of workplace context