How to improve organisational citizenship behaviour by combining ability, motivation and opportunity

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the ability, motivation and opportunity model, and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) as a result variable, using the perceived organisational support (POS) as a moderator of this relationship. Design/methodology/approach: The hypotheses developed here are tested using data from a sample of Spanish firms belonging to two industries: finance and hotels. These sectors were selected due to the serious impact the recent financial crisis had on them, and because they may benefit from extra-role behaviours. Findings: The results reveal that ability and motivation significantly influence the level of OCB. POS also has a notable direct effect on OCB, as well as moderating in the relationship between opportunity and OCB. Originality/value: The study’s findings have some important lessons for practitioners and researchers with an interest in OCB, showing how to improve these extra-role behaviours, which can be so necessary in this post-crisis context.