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Paying it Forward: The Effect of Mentoring on Protégé OCB

This study examines the effect of mentoring experiences on organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) among protégés. It investigates both positive and negative mentoring experiences and their relationship to OCB. The results suggest that mentoring is positively linked to OCB directed at individuals. The study also disproves the notion that engaging in OCB leads to increased mentoring. Overall, this research contributes to mentoring theory, leadership theory, and OCB theory.

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Paying it Forward: The Effect of Mentoring on Protégé OCB

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  1. Paying it Forward: The Effect of Mentoring on Protégé OCB Lillian Turner de Tormes Eby Marcus M. Butts University of Georgia University of Texas-Arlington

  2. Overview • Mentoring can be an important developmental experience (Allen et al., 2004; Eby et al., 2008) • Also associated with learning & performance (e.g., Sanchez et al., 2006; Lankau & Scandura, 2002) • Protégés can also have negative experiences with mentors(Eby et al., 2000; Scandura, 1998) • Related to a wide range of negative attitudinal & strain outcomes (Eby & Allen, 2002; Eby et al., 2004) • Some initial evidence linking negative experiences to less learning (Eby et al., 2004) • Limited research examining the relationship between mentoring & OCB

  3. Why Examine Mentoring & OCB? • Mentoring has been conceptualized as a form of OCB (McManus & Russell, 1997) • Mentors act as role models for protégés (Kram, 1985) • Leader OCB is positively related to follower OCB (Yaffe & Kark, 2011) • Receipt of mentoring support is positively related to protégé OCB (Donaldson et al., 2000; Jandeska & Kraimer, 2005) • But, negative mentoring may inhibit protégé OCB • Emotional strain is negatively to OCB (Chang et al., 2007) • Abusive supervision negatively related to OCB (Ayree et al., 2007; Tepper, 2000; Zellars et al., 2002)

  4. Mentoring & OCB • Prior research suggests there may be a connection • Causal direction for positive mentoring • Protégés that receive more mentoring engage in more OCB (social exchange theory; social learning theory) • Competing prediction: protégés that engage in OCB receive more mentoring (rising star hypothesis; demonstrates motivation; ideal employee prototype) • Causal direction for negative mentoring • Negative mentoring creates psychological reactance, which leads protégés to withhold effort (Brehm & Brehm, 1981)

  5. The Current Study • Disentangle the relationship between mentoring & OCB • Examine both positive and negative mentoring experiences in relation to OCB • Expect effects only for OCB-I due to relational focus • Cross-lagged panel design • Two full waves of data collection • Matched mentor-protégé data

  6. Method • Employees working in health services occupation • 190 in-tact mentor-protégé dyads • Formal (assigned) mentoring relationships • Surveyed at 2 points in time (1 yr interval) • Established multi-item scales • Reliability > .82 both years • Positive & negative mentoring reported by protégé • Overall measures • Protégé OCB rated by mentor • OCB-I & OCB-O

  7. Data Analysis & Results • Measurement invariance across time (full support) • Four separate SEM models (all CFIs > .90, RMSEA < .08, SRMR <.07) • Four different parameter estimates per model • Stability of latent variables over time • all significant, r = .58 to .73 • Correlation between variables at time 1 • all significant, r = -.17 to .22 • Correlation between variables at time 2 • all significant, r = -.32 to .43 • Two cross-lagged effects (both directions; OCB-I & OCB-O)

  8. Cross-Lagged Results Standardized values reported, ** p <.01

  9. Discussion • Support for the prediction that mentoring leads to OCB, but only behaviors aimed at individuals • Relational aspects of both mentoring & OCB-I • Firm conclusion about causal direction • No support for the alternative explanation that protégés who engage in OCB get “rewarded” with more mentoring

  10. Implications • Mentoring theory • Protégé may learn to model helping behavior from mentors • Negative relational experiences thwarts helping behaviors • What are mediating mechanisms? • Leadership theory • Sheds light on research examining LMX & OCB as well as abusive supervision & OCB • OCB theory • Extends research on predictors of OCB • Lends support for the importance of differentiating OCB-I & OCB-O

  11. Acknowledgements • This study was supported by Award Number R01DA019460 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse

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