Affective organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior: examining the relationship through the lens of equity sensitivity

The main purpose of this study was to test the relationship between affective organizational commitment (AOC), organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and equity sensitivity, which heretofore has not been examined. Results revealed an interaction between AOC and equity sensitivity such that persons with an entitled orientation exhibited higher levels of OCB as their degree of AOC increased. Individuals with an entitled orientation and lower levels of AOC exhibited the lowest levels of OCB. This research suggests that organizations should focus on improving the level of AOC in order to increase the citizenship behavior of their entitled members. The moderating effect of equity sensitivity may help to explain why the relationship between AOC and OCB has been characterized as modest or weak in previous research studies