Counterproductive Work Behavior and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: An Individual Differences Approach

The purpose of this study was to investigate the individual differences of employees (personality traits and demographic characteristics) as predictors of counterproductive work behavior (CWB) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). The population of this study included employees of Tehran Urban and Suburban Railway Operation Co. The research method adopted in this study was survey and the main tool for data collection was questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS and Smart PLS. Results indicated that demographic characteristics (except educational level) as well as Personality traits impact on both CWB and OCB. We also found no relationship between CWB, extraversion and openness to experience but positive relationship between CWB and neuroticism, and negative relationship between CWB and conscientiousness. The results of this study also indicated positive relationship between OCB, extraversion and conscientiousness but no relationship between OCB and other personality traits. According to this study, since the covert CWBs and those who express such behaviors are hard to known, an examination of the antecedents of such behaviors was proposed.