How to improve organisational citizenship behaviour by combining ability, motivation and opportunity

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the ability, motivation and opportunity model, and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) as a result variable, using the perceived organisational support (POS) as a moderator of this relationship. Design/methodology/approach The hypotheses developed here are tested using data from a sample of Spanish firms belonging to two industries: finance and hotels. These sectors were selected due to the serious impact the recent financial crisis had on them, and because they may benefit from extra-role behaviours. Findings The results reveal that ability and motivation significantly influence the level of OCB. POS also has a notable direct effect on OCB, as well as moderating in the relationship between opportunity and OCB. Originality/value The study’s findings have some important lessons for practitioners and researchers with an interest in OCB, showing how to improve these extra-role behaviours, which can be so necessary in this post-crisis context.