The Relation Between Trust in the Supervisor and Subordinate Organizational Citizenship Behavior

Like all organizations, the military cannot anticipate all subordinate behaviors required to achieve goals. However, subordinate extra-role activity (i.e., behavior that surpasses the formally expressed position requirements) is essential for organizational productivity (Katz & Kahn, 1966). Interpersonal trust is a key contributor to effectiveness (Kouzes & Posner, 1987). Accordingly, this study tested the hypothesis that 10 supervisor behaviors facilitating interpersonal trust would be positively associated with subordinate extra-role behaviors. The subordinate extra-role or organizational citizenship behaviors examined in- cluded altruism, courtesy, conscientiousness, sportsmanship, and civic virtue. Survey data were collected from a noncombat military sample of 64 supervisor- subordinate dyads. Correlational and hierarchical regression analyses sup- ported the prediction. The findings are discussed in terms of possible implications for military leadership training.