Losing good citizens: the enabling effect of organisational citizenship on the job search-employee turnover relationship

The present study extends research and theory on the contingencies that influence turnover from an organisation. Applying perspectives from impression management and social exchange, the study investigates the impact of employee organisational citizenship behaviour on the relationship between job seeking and voluntary turnover. Data was gathered on employees in a US office of a global financial institution. Empirical results indicated that, as individuals high in organisational citizenship behaviour engaged in job seeking, they were more likely to voluntarily turnover from the organisation. The findings suggest that 'good' organisational citizens enjoy more mobility as a result of job seeking when compared to those less inclined to citizenship behaviours, independent of their actual in-role performance or level of job satisfaction. This study has implications for management's understanding of how organisational citizenship behaviours contribute to the turnover of employees.