The Other Side of the Coin?: Similarities and Differences Between Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Counterproductive Work Behavior

This chapter examines the relationship between two important forms of job performance: organizational citizenship behavior and counterproductive work behavior. There are several reasons (e.g., construct definitions, relationships with antecedents) to suspect that these two constructs are strongly negatively related, perhaps even opposite ends of a single behavioral continuum. However, empirical results demonstrate a relationship that is typically weakly to moderately negative and occasionally even positive. We discuss theory and empirical results (where possible, meta-analytic) at not just the traditional between-person level of analysis but also the within-person and between-unit levels. Our review suggests several important future research opportunities at the traditional between-person level (e.g., a pressing need for more and better theory). Yet, in our view, the most exciting research opportunities exist at the within-person level. Overall, the relationship between citizenship and counterproductive behavior promises to remain a vibrant and influential area of research for the foreseeable future.